UNDT April 9, 2012 - Associated Press - Idle nuke plant likely to force OPPD to buy power - The Omaha Public Power District will likely have to purchase some electricity this summer because the Fort Calhoun nuclear plant remains shut down. Federal regulators have said Fort Calhoun is likely to remain idle at least into the fall. So, OPPD's nuclear plant won't be available during the peak demand of summer. Last year, OPPD spent about $32 million to buy electricity from other sources while flooding along the Missouri River kept Fort Calhoun shuttered. OPPD CEO Gary Gates says it's hard to predict how much the utility will spend on electricity this year. The utility's insurance may cover some of the cost and demand for electricity will vary with the weather. Plus, the price of electricity may vary.
April 9, 2012 - Idaho Press Tribune - Radioactive particles found on INL debris - Federal officials are investigating and taking precautionary measures after a contractor found radioactive particles on construction debris at the Idaho National Laboratory advanced test reactor complex in southeastern Idaho. KIFI-TV reports (https://bit.ly/HkUEES) in a story on Friday that the contractor found traces of cesium and cobalt. U.S. Department of Energy spokesman Brad Bugger says the radioactive particles might have come from a past decontamination and demolition project. He says the agency is checking people and vehicles as they come in and out of the facility to make sure the particles aren't getting off the site. He says there's no health threat unless the particles end up on someone's skin and the person has prolonged exposure.