Pollution, security and hiring incidents
In 2005, Exelon was required to pay a $602,000 fine for exceeding the permitted sulfur dioxide emission limit from April to October 2004 at its Cromby Generating Station in Chester County, Pennsylvania.[11]
Exelon and Illinois state officials waited for four years until 2006 before disclosing that Exelon's Braidwood Nuclear Generating Station, a nuclear plant 60 miles southeast of Chicago, had spilled millions of gallons of water containing tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen, multiple times over a decade. Exelon officials eventually apologized and said the risks from the leak were “minimal”, with tritium levels in surrounding wells all found to be below regulatory limits.[12]
In 2009, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced its plan for a $65,000 fine against Exelon for permitting its contracted security guards that were guarding its Peach Bottom Nuclear Generating Station, a two-reactor nuclear plant located in Delta, Pennsylvania to sleep on the job. The incidents did not come to light until a videotape of the security guards was leaked to news media.[13] As a result, Exelon terminated the security contract of the Wackenhut security firm that had been involved.
In 2010, an Exelon help wanted ad posted on CareerBuilder.com stated that "arrogant Americans" need not apply for a position that catered to Chinese customers.[14] Employers in the United States cannot discriminate in hiring policies that violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination by employers on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The sentences in question of violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 follow:
"Exelon is looking to provide these proposals to Chinese businesses, so someone who is respectful and understands Chinese culture is preferred. An arrogant American will not work well in this role,"
Exelon's actions in alleged Employment Discrimination is at odds with the company's CEO statement quoting:
"At Exelon, we believe that every individual has the potential to make outstanding contributions to our company regardless of their age, race, gender, color, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical abilities, veteran status or religion. The more diverse our workforce becomes, the greater the range of ideas that can be generated. - John W. Rowe Chairman & CEO"
[15]
The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), the federal enforcement agency tasked with ensuring compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, is not investigating.
Exelon responded to the job ad controversy with the following statement:
“Exelon was surprised and very disappointed to see this job posting including this offensive and inappropriate language. This statement was not approved by Exelon and in no way reflects the company’s policies and values. We regret that this language appeared in recruiting materials that were prepared by a third party and not approved by Exelon. We apologize for this error and the offense it has caused. We are taking steps to ensure this does not happen again. Exelon is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion, and we make every effort to attract and retain talent of all backgrounds.
10. ^ a b Jonathan Fahey [The Carbon Windfall]; Exelon's John Rowe has been planning for expensive carbon for a decade. Now it's time to push for the payoff pages 70-74 January 18, 2010 Forbes
11. ^ AmeriScan: June 30, 2005
12. ^ RedOrbit.com, Exelon admits its fault
13. ^ Nuclear Regulatory Commission news release
14. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Help Wanted -- 'Arrogant Americans' Need Not Apply". Fox News. February 17, 2010. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,586342,00.html?test=latestnews.
15. ^ http://www.exeloncorp.com/PEOPLEANDCULTURE/overview.aspx
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