The State : Rancho Seco Delayed Again

Operators of the Rancho Seco nuclear power plant postponed the start-up of the long-closed facility until today to test whether they have fixed an electrical problem. “Barring any other problems, we expect to send a communication (to the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission) requesting approval to restart,” said Carl Andognini, nuclear chief for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. He said he expects the NRC to quickly approve the request. Andognini said utility officials have fixed a vibration in a diesel generator that the NRC said last week must be repaired before the restart. The plant was shut down on Dec. 26, 1985, after an over-cooling accident. Sacramento voters will decide the plant’s future June 7, when they will cast ballots on two measures. One, placed on the ballot by plant opponents, would force the plant’s closure if approved. The other, placed on the ballot by the utility district, would keep it open for at least 18 months.