UPDATED: RI Man Charged By Feds for Jan. 6 Attack Works at State’s Only Nuclear Plant

UPDATED: RI Man Charged By Feds for Jan. 6 Attack Works at State’s Only Nuclear Plant

The U.S. Department of Justice announced earlier on Wednesday that they have charged Bernard Sirr with a felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Sirr is a Rhode Island State employee at Rhode Island’s only nuclear power plant which is owned and operated by the State of Rhode Island.

He earns $84,960.98 as a state employee at the State’s Atomic Energy Commission plant in Narragansett.

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Sirr’s co-worker Sophie Lenihan said in a phone interview, “I have not known him to be a Trump supporter.”

She then directed all calls to Cameron Goodwin the director of the Commission; Goodwin was not available for comment.

According to Sirr’s bio on Facebook, he lists his employment as “Reactor Operator/ Facility Engineer at Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center”

The facility is located in Narragansett.

According to state officials, "The RI Dept. of Administration can confirm that Bernard Sirr is employed as a state building and grounds coordinator at the RI Nuclear Science Center. The nuclear science center leadership was made aware of his arrest late this morning and is working collaboratively with the Division of Human Resources to pursue appropriate personnel action."

 

According to the facility’s website:

The Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC) serves as the headquarters for the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission. Located on the University of Rhode Island's Bay campus, the RINSC is the home of Rhode Island's sole nuclear reactor.

The RINSC reactor was built in 1960 and went critical in 1964. It is a 2 Mega-Watt, light water-cooled, pool-type reactor. For over 50 years it has provided valuable data to researchers and students. Over 100 graduate degrees have been awarded for research conducted at the RINSC. Research areas include Physics, Engineering, Biology, and Atmospheric Chemistry.

The RINSC also serves as a center for education. Tours introduce students of all ages to the field of nuclear science and condensed matter physics. Our internship program allows undergraduate students to work with the RINSC staff to maintain and operate the reactor.

 

RI Nuclear Death

According to the New England Historical Society:

Before Three Mile Island, before Chernobyl, Wood River Junction in Charlestown, R.I., had the first civilian nuclear accident resulting in the death of an employee in 1964.

The accident happened on July 24th of that year at the semi-secret United Nuclear Corporation. The victim was 37-year-old Robert Peabody, a production technician working a second job to help support his wife, Anna, and nine children.