News In Brief

Diablo Canyon start-up held off till end of week

A leaky coolant pump will delay the start-up of the embattled Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant until the ''end of this week,'' a spokesman for the plant's operator said Monday.

Technicians began repairing the seal on one of four coolant pumps on the Unit 1 reactor Monday, a job that was expected to take 12 hours, Pacific Gas & Electric spokesman George Sarkisian said.

After more pre-start-up testing, the plant is scheduled to begin operating at low power at the end of this week, Mr. Sarkisian said.