P.M. BRIEFING : Seabrook in Start-Up Phase

SEABROOK N.H. —  Operators at the controversial Seabrook nuclear power plant began start-up procedures early today that will bring the $6.5-billion reactor to full power in about three months, a plant spokesman said.

The controversial plant’s reactor was started at 3:59 a.m.

Seabrook received its full-power license Thursday after a federal appeals court rejected a request for a stay by plant opponents. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission voted to approve a full-power license for Seabrook on March 1.

“Operators today began the process of bringing the reactor up to the 3% power level for initial testing of plant systems,” said Ron Sher, spokesman for New Hampshire Yankee, which operates the plant.

Sher said after testing is completed at the 3% level, plant operators will gradually increase the reactor power levels in increments to 30%, 50%, 75% and 100% power over the next two or three months.