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Neb. utility says idle nuke plant ready to restart

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December 4th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska utility that owns a nuclear power plant that has been idle since April 2011 says the troubled plant is now ready to be restarted, but federal regulators will make the final decision. The Omaha Public Power District submitted a 139-page report to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission this week making the case that Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant is ready.

Lou Cortopassi manages the nuclear plant 20 miles north of Omaha that sits across the Missouri River from Iowa. He says OPPD addressed Fort Calhoun’s problems, and it is ready to operate safely.

Fort Calhoun initially shut down for routine maintenance, but significant flooding in 2011, a small fire and a series of safety violations forced it to remain closed.