Rick Heathwaite
Nuclear Chemist and Reg Affairs Programs Manager
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About
Rick Heathwaite possesses two and a half decades of technical advisory and leadership in the Nuclear Industry.
After earning his B.S. in Chemistry and Physics, Heathwaite started his professional development in 1998 at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station, and subsequently spent the remainder of his career immersed in the nuclear industry specializing in Reactor Oversight, Nuclear Chemistry, and Environmental Radiological Programs.
On December 29, 2014, Vermont Yankee permanently shut down due to economic and political factors, which ultimately led to his transition to PSEG Nuclear's Salem and Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations.
Additionally, Heathwaite holds a Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) Certification from Vermont Yankee (a GE BWR-4 Reactor with Mark I containment).
Experience
Heathwaite has worked at multiple commercial nuclear utilities with both Boiling and Pressurized Water Reactors. His roles have included technical advisory in Chemistry, Operations, and Regulatory Affairs. He earned his Senior Reactor Operator Certificate and qualified as a Shift Technical Advisor where he worked in the control room to provide independent technical oversight of the operating crew.
The majority of his career was focused on chemistry, where he served as the Plant Chemist, Chemistry Supervisor, and Chemistry Manager. Most recently he has been involved in Regulatory Affairs where he acts as a technical liaison between the Enterprise and Regulatory Stakeholders. Heathwaite's experience in Operations and Chemistry make him uniquely qualified to understand and interpret technical and complex regulations pertaining to radioactive effluents, groundwater protection, and radiological environmental monitoring.
2015 to Present: PSEG Nuclear (Hope Creek and Salem Units 1&2 Nuclear Gen. Stations)
- 2017 - Current, Corporate Regulatory Affairs, REC/REMP Programs Manager
- 2015 - 2017 Hope Creek Chemistry Supervisor and Acting Superintendent
1998 to 2015: Entergy Nuclear Operations (Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station)
- 2014 - 2015 Chemistry Manager
- 2008 - 2014 Chemistry Supervisor
- 2006 - 2008 Plant Chemist
- 2000 - 2006 Shift Technical Advisor
- 1998 - 2000 Chemistry Technician
Education
Heathwaite earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Physics from Keene State College (University System of NH) December 1998.
He attended 2 years of Nuclear Operator License School to earn a Senior Reactor Operator Certification on a GE BWR-4 with Mark I Containment. This experience also included the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Boiling Water Reactor Fundamentals coursework and successful exam.
Nuclear Water Technologies BWR Operational Diagnostics and Troubleshooting.
INPO First Line Supervisor Acadamy
MARC Labor Relations Training
OSHA 40 hr HAZWOPER with several 8 hr refreshers (2000 - 2014)
