PHOENIX -- Jun 16 - Albuquerque Journal

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold a June 30 public meeting to discuss the status of improvements at the nation's largest nuclear power plant.

Officials with Arizona Public Service Co., the utility that operates the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, will brief the staff at the 6:30 p.m. meeting at Tonopah Valley High School in Tonopah.

Palo Verde's safety rating was downgraded last year after a series of problems, including leaking oil seals and a broken emergency generator.

NRC Chairman Dale Klein said in late February, after touring the plant 55 miles west of downtown Phoenix, that it could take months before Palo Verde proved it deserved a better safety rating.

Palo Verde supplies electricity to about 4 million customers in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and California.

Public Service Company of New Mexico is a part owner of the nuclear generating station.

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