Entergy Waterford 3 recently held a gathering celebrating the nuclear energy plant’s 40-year anniversary in the community.
The event was held at the Waterford 3 nuclear generating station and brought local leaders and community members together with current and former employees.
The plant first began operations in Killona on Sept. 24, 1985. But the planning for the site started well before that – in 1970, when Louisiana Power & Light requested permission from the NRC to construct Waterford 3.
The request was granted by the NRC in 1974 for construction to begin and it was completed in 1984. In December of that year, fuel was loaded into the core after receiving necessary NRC licenses. Finally, after 15 years of planning, construction and preparation, Waterford 3 commenced commercial operation on Sept. 24, 1985 at 12:01 a.m.
Since then, the Entergy owned and operated plant has been a significant source of energy for Louisiana, using a pressurized water reactor to produce electricity.
It is one of just two nuclear plants located in Louisiana, the other being Entergy’s River Bend Nuclear Station in St. Francisville.
“We are proud to celebrate 40 years of generating safe, clean nuclear power at Waterford 3,” said Dave Oertling, Waterford 3’s general manager of plant operations. “We are excited to honor the former professionals who laid the foundation of success at Waterford 3 and the team of nuclear professionals committed to carrying on Waterford 3’s legacy.”
One message shared that was at the core of the anniversary celebration was that at the heart of the plant’s success has always been the hardworking people serving as its driving force.
As the senior manager of operations at Waterford 3, Kenny Cambre has seen the plant evolve over the course of his 23-year career at the site. Cambre began at the facility in 2002 as a nuclear auxiliary operator, performing hands-on field work.
Over the years, he steadily advanced, earning both reactor operator and senior reactor operator licenses that allowed him to oversee day-to-day plant operations, including critical procedures like reactor startups and shutdowns.
Cambre takes great pride in Waterford 3’s role in powering the local community.
“Electricity is something that is so easy to take for granted, until you don’t have it,” Cambre said. “It’s then when we realize how vital it is for us to do our very best every day to help keep the lights on.”
Kyle Sanford’s career at Waterford 3 has been marked by a diverse range of roles and responsibilities. Since starting as an electrical design engineer in 2013, he has held various roles leading to his current as the central programs engineering supervisor.
“Whenever I see the Waterford 3 plant on the horizon, I’m reminded of the profound responsibility we have to our neighbors,” Sanford said. “It’s that sense of purpose that drives me to continuously improve, innovate and uphold the highest standards in my role.”
Sanford said he is proud to be part of the Waterford 3 family and part of the positive impact the plant has on the local community.
With 34 years of service at Waterford 3, Michelle Groome witnessed the plant’s evolution firsthand. Joining the team fresh out of the University of New Orleans with a mechanical engineering degree, Groome started in the design engineering department working on electrical and instrumentation and control systems.
Over the years, she took on increasingly responsible roles, including serving as a system engineer for critical plant systems.
The sense of being valued has been a key factor in keeping Groome at Waterford 3 for over three decades.
“After working nights, weekends, etc. with your peers, they are more family than just a co-worker,” Groome said. “When I retire shortly, that will be the hardest part – leaving my work family.”
In her current role as an instructor, Groome finds the greatest reward in sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation of nuclear professionals.
“What I enjoy the most about my work – today, it’s teaching,” Groome said. “Giving to this new generation the insights and knowledge that I have, and the perspective that I have been where you are today.”
