Nuclear regulators side with Progress

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission rejected a claim by nuclear critics that Progress Energy's Shearon Harris nuclear plant in Wake County is vulnerable to fire risk and should be fined $130,000 daily for violations or have its operating license revoked.

Fire barriers at Shearon Harris first failed tests in 1989, two years after the plant went into operation. The utility has implemented corrective actions.

Raleigh-based Progress Energy has until June 2008 to propose a permanent solution for meeting fire safety standards at the Shearon Harris plant.