"No one has worked harder to resolve this issue and assure safe and environmentally sound storage than Secretary Watkins," Mr. Young said in a statement.

Last month, even after the inspector general's report was completed, Secretary Watkins defended the plant's operators and praised the Westinghouse executives.

Mr. Gill said he did not know whether Secretary Watkins would agree to go to Cincinnati or the department would oppose the judge on the issue.

Environmentalists here have suggested that oil company lobbyists in Washington interceded with Secretary Watkins to put pressure on the local government.

After years of debate, Secretary Watkins on Dec. 13 ordered it to be restarted.

Before being sent to Secretary Watkins, within the next month, the panel's preliminary report needs approval by the full advisory board, which may make some changes.

Thus, the jawboning by Secretary Watkins:

"I am gratified that Secretary Watkins recognizes this fact," Mr. Glenn said.

Secretary Watkins has worked on this for two years.

A spokesman for Secretary Watkins said the department had agreed to cooperate fully.