The Nation - News from April 16, 1989

In a boost to the Seabrook nuclear power plant, a federal bankruptcy judge in Manchester, N.H., refused to block low-power testing of the reactor and approved a settlement that ensures funding until the end of the year. “It is likely that Seabrook is ultimately going to go into commercial operation,” said Judge James Yacos in a reorganization hearing of the Public Service Co. of New Hampshire, Seabrook’s lead owner. Judge Yacos approved an agreement reached Thursday by state officials, Public Service and its creditors ensuring that New Hampshire ratepayers will not be charged for cleaning up Seabrook if it conducts the atomic tests but does not operate commercially. Before the agreement was reached, state officials had asked Yacos to delay the tests until commercial operation is assured.