More issues found at Neb. nuke plant

By JOSH FUNK
Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal regulators have found several new problems at a Nebraska nuclear power plant damaged in flooding earlier this year.

Inspectors will watch the plant north of Omaha more closely while the utility that owns it works to repair flood damage.

The tougher oversight was announced Tuesday for the Omaha Public Power District plant in Fort Calhoun. The new problems aren't related to the flooding, but the increased oversight will likely further delay the plant's restart until spring.

The plant has been shuttered since April. It was being refueled before floodwaters surrounded the plant.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Victor Dricks says the new problems include deficiencies in the utility's emergency response and either a design or installation flaw that contributed to a fire in June. (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)