Congressional investigators to look into Davis-Besse problems

The Associated Press
9/5/02 1:56 PM

OAK HARBOR, Ohio (AP) -- Congressional investigators will look into why federal regulators allowed a nuclear plant to continue operating even though others thought it may be leaking reactor coolant.

There are now seven investigations into the damage at the Davis-Besse plant near Toledo.

The General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, likely will begin work within the next three months, Bob Robinson, of the agency's natural resources and environmental team, told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.

A message seeking comment was left Thursday with the GAO.

During a maintenance shutdown, investigators in March found that boric acid had nearly eaten through a 6-inch steel cap on the reactor vessel. The plant has been closed since then.

It was the most extensive corrosion found on a U.S. nuclear reactor and led to a nationwide review of all 69 similar plants. Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. is spending an estimated $55 million to $75 million to replace the reactor head and plans to reopen the plant at the end of the year.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Cleveland, asked for the investigation and hopes the agency will complete its review before the restart decision. He said he will try to move up the investigation's timetable.

"There's no way that plant should be permitted to restart without the GAO having investigated and presented its report," Kucinich said.

------

On the Net:

www.firstenergy.com