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Boxer, Feinstein Call For Inspections At Nuclear Power Plants

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California's two U.S. senators are calling on federal officials to perform inspections at two nuclear power plants to ensure the facilities are safe and have adequate emergency plans.

Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein said Wednesday that the unfolding nuclear problems in Japan have raised questions about the safety of nuclear plants in the U.S.

The senators are particularly interested in two plants near earthquake faults: the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in San Clemente and the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant near San Luis Obispo.

In a letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the senators said the plants were designed to withstand earthquakes less powerful than the one that hit Japan. Given the disaster in Japan, they asked what steps could be taken to improve safety.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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