Sequoyah Nuclear Plant is located near Soddy-Daisy.

Six workers at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Sequoyah Nuclear Plant recently passed exams administered by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and now are licensed to operate the nuclear units at the Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant.

"This is an important accomplishment for these individuals, for Sequoyah and for TVA," said John Carlin, Sequoyah site vice president. "It takes an extremely high level of knowledge, skill and personal sacrifice to receive an NRC license, and I commend these individuals for their hard work and dedication to the job."

William Ted Ivey, of Soddy-Daisy, became a new reactor operator, and five men are new senior reactor operators. They are Joseph Welch and Jacques Olivier, of Soddy-Daisy; Robert Camenisch, of Lakesite; Michael McDaniel, of Dayton; and John Alexander, of Chattanooga.

Each had to meet stringent requirements for education and experience to qualify for the 18-month training program, said TVA spokesman Ray Golden.

Adding additional licensed reactor operators to TVA's nuclear program increases the "bench strength" of individuals who can operate TVA's nuclear plants and may become future senior leaders within the utility, Golden said.