The plant here in Cincinnati was the same deal,it was supposed to be nuclear but GE's major design flaws kept it from being approved so it was converted to coal.
As for the rods,why,why,why would someone put a storage pond for rods that have enough heat to light CONCRETE on fire above a reactor? Like,really?
As for American citizens,they should have been our first priority,my guess is that it's PR, like "see,we don't think it's too bad japan! We haven't even pulled out our OWN people yet" like if we pull our people out its a sign of abandonment.
I'm just waiting for the massive fireball that was the plant to appear on the news as the rods hit 3000 degrees f and begin burning everything within a 100yrd radius.