Federal regulators Thursday concluded that the operator of the San Onofre nuclear power plant in California did not mislead the government about extensive modifications to its troubled steam generators, where damage has been found on scores of tubes that carry radioactive water.

Environmental activists have accused Southern California Edison of duping the Nuclear Regulatory Commission about a series of changes to the massive machines, including boosting the number of tubes and redesigning internal supports.

But an NRC report concluded that Edison "provided the NRC with all the information required under existing regulations about proposed design changes to its steam generators," according to an agency statement.

The seaside plant between Los Angeles and San Diego has been shut down since January after a break in a generator tube released traces of radiation. Investigators later found extensive wear on scores of tubes at the plant, and Edison is trying to determine how to fix it.

TVNL Comment:  They never learn until after a disaster, do they?

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