TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Federal regulators are confirming they had been told by operators of an Ohio nuclear reactor about additional cracks found in the plant's concrete shell.
Details about the cracks near the top of the structure came to light publicly after officials from Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich's office say they spoke with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Kucinich's office says it initiated talks with the NRC and investigated the issue that revealed the cracks were more widespread at the Davis-Besse (BEH'-see) nuclear plant outside Toledo than what was publicly released.
A spokeswoman for FirstEnergy Corp. said Wednesday that the cracks were found in November and that the company informed regulators right away.
The NRC said Thursday it analyzed those additional cracks before allowing the plant to restart this week.
