Problems at Unit 1 at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant were not expected as part of its restart.

The Tennessee Valley Authority drew on the experience of restarting Units 2 and 3 to thoroughly examine the way workers rebuilt Unit 1 that restarted in May.

So, it has to be disappointing as well as aggravating to TVA for the unit to shut down five unscheduled times.

Unit 1 has an up-and-down history. The unit went on line in 1974 and experienced a near disastrous fire in 1975.

TVA then shut down production at all three units in 1985 because of a series of questions about safety and operating procedures.

Engineers cross-checked, rebuilt and triple-checked about every part of the unit before it returned to production. The goal was to have the oldest unit join two previously restarted Units 2 and 3 as showcases for the nuclear industry. Unit 2 returned to service in 1991, and Unit 3 followed in 1995.

Because those units are so trouble-free, President Bush visited this summer to tout the benefits and safety of nuclear power.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is sending a team of inspectors to the plant to take a look at the current problems.

Unlike at Farley Nuclear Plant at Dothan, where Alabama Power's plant officials appear uncooperative with NRC investigators over safety problems, you can bet on a different attitude at Unit 1.

TVA spent $1.8 billion and five years rehabilitating the unit and training the staff. The shutdowns apparently are not of a serious nature but are costly. The problems must be found and corrected because TVA and the community have too much at stake at Browns Ferry.

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