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OPPD reiterates Fort Calhoun nuclear plant is safe

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June 28th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

BLAIR, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha Public Power District is going to great lengths to show that its Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant remains safe even though the main buildings are surrounded by floodwater from the Missouri River.

OPPD offered tours of the plant Monday to the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, members of Congress and the media to show off the measures they’ve taken to keep the plant dry inside.

Workers use an elevated catwalk to access Fort Calhoun because the parking lot is covered with at least 2 feet of floodwater.

Plant manager Tim Nellenbach says there is little chance of a serious problem at Fort Calhoun because the plant still has all of its electrical power sources and it remains shut down.