Ohio nuclear plant meets acid leak conditions

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant has met conditions the agency set following an acid leak in 2002 and is no longer required to have special independent assessments.

The acid nearly ate through the reactor’s 6-inch-thick steel cap and led to sweeping changes at the plant, which was closed from 2002 to 2004. The NRC beefed up inspections and training and began requiring detailed records of its discussions with plant operators.

The NRC said today that Davis-Besse’s performance has improved over the past five years based on the independent assessments and special oversight inspections.

A spokesman for plant operator FirstEnergy of Akron says the company will continue to do self-assessments to ensure a high level of safety.