Officials at Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant say they've found the source of a leak of radioactive water that forced the plant's shutdown.  Plant spokesman Larry Smith says an access plug that had been welded over was leaking inside the plant.  Smith says the repairs are expected to take 24 hours, after which the plant will be restarted. 

Yesterday evening Vermont Yankee was taken offline after a leak was discovered in a pipe leading to the reactor.  The reactor was allowed to cool down overnight before technicians were able to enter the area to examine the pipe.

VPR's John Dillon is following the story and says that the leak is confined to inside the plant and not getting into the environment.

Click on the Listen icon to hear John's interview with VPR's Jane Lindholm on Vermont Edition.