OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The idle Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant is loaded with fuel for the first time in more than two years, and utility officials say it will be ready to operate safely if regulators allow it to restart. Omaha Public Power District officials met with Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff Tuesday to discuss the future of the plant 20 miles north of Omaha.
Plant manager Mike Prospero said the utility plans to heat up the plant in late September without using nuclear power. That will allow workers to inspect parts that haven’t been used regularly since Fort Calhoun shut down for maintenance in April 2011.
Regulators have kept the plant closed to address safety and security concerns discovered after a small fire and massive flooding along the Missouri River in 2011.