The Omaha Public Power District has installed a new barrier around its Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant and is now pumping out Missouri River floodwaters.
OPPD installed the new 8-foot-tall, water-filled barrier around the plant to replace a similar one that failed two weeks ago after a worker inadvertently punctured it with a bobcat.
OPPD pumped out about half the water behind the new barrier Sunday. It will continue pumping to create a dry area around the plant to make it easier for workers to get around.
Both OPPD and federal regulators have said Fort Calhoun is safe even without this barrier. Officials say all the key areas of the plant have stayed dry inside.
The plant will remain shut down until after floodwaters subside in the fall.
