The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has submitted a Demand for Information letter to Vermont Yankee owner Entergy seeking documents related to statements made about a tritium leak.
The action by the NRC comes a week after New Hampshire Congressman Paul Hodes asked for the same documents and called on federal investigators to step up their VT Yankee inquiry.
Hodes says he is pleased with the NRC’s action and says "the safest way forward is to cease operations at the plant until we can be assured of its safety."
On Feb. 24, the Vermont state Senate voted to shut down the state’s only nuclear plant after its license expires in 2012.
Vermont is the only state with a law giving its Legislature a say over a nuclear plant’s re-licensing.