"US Group Wants No New N-Plants, End To Relicensing"

"LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A consumer and environmental advocacy group urged the Obama administration to freeze construction of new nuclear reactors and halt re-licensing of the oldest of the nation's 104 plants until safety lessons from the Japanese nuclear crisis can be absorbed.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group issued a report Tuesday citing a history of safety problems at nuclear reactors in the United States.

It cited problems stretching back two decades at nuclear plants in Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas, New York, New Jersey and Vermont, including four considered "significant precursors" to damage to the reactor's core. There have been four such incidents in the U.S. since 1990, and 17 since 1979."

Wayne Parry reports for the Associated Press March 29, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"AP IMPACT: Long Blackouts Pose Risk To US Reactors" (AP)

"Rep. Markey Calls for Moratorium on Nuclear Reactor Licenses" (ABC News)

"Live-Blogging a Senate Briefing on Nuclear Safety" (Green/NYT)

"Japan Nuclear Crisis: Has the US Industry Learned Something?" (Christian Science Monitor)