The Nation : Reactor Flaw Discovered

Two Indian Point nuclear reactors in Westchester County, N.Y., were operated for two years with a design flaw that could have impaired their automatic safety systems, it was reported. The problem at Consolidated Edison Co.’s Indian Point 2 plant was corrected within 72 hours of its discovery last April, according to Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules, the New York Times reported. The commission first reported the flaw--the reliance of the safety system on a single switch--last month. A similar flaw at Indian Point 3, operated by the New York Power Authority, was pointed out by Con Edison. The plant is closed for refueling but officials say the problem will be corrected before it reopens.