Browns Ferry Reactor Inches Closer to Restart

From the AP:

The Tennessee Valley Authority on Thursday told federal regulators it is ready for a final inspection before returning its oldest nuclear reactor to service after a five-year, $1.8 billion restoration.

TVA asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to send its "operational readiness assessment team" to the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Athens, Ala., to evaluate the Unit 1 reactor.

The reactor is slated to power up in May after a nearly 22-year shutdown.

"It is kind of the last significant test," TVA spokesman John Moulton said. "It is basically telling the NRC, 'Bring your team in and confirm that this plant's ready to operate again as a three-unit plant.'"

For more on the reactor from NRC, click here.