NRC team to inspect Pilgrim after shutdown

NRC team to inspect Pilgrim after shutdown

Posted Jan. 30, 2015 @ 7:50 pm

PLYMOUTH — Entergy Corp. has confirmed a report that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is sending a team of technical inspectors to the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, beginning Monday, to review the response to equipment problems that followed the shutdown of the reactor during the Jan. 27 snowstorm.

The reactor, which powered down when two main off-site electric lines to the plant broke down early Tuesday, remains shut down while other routine maintenance is done, according to Entergy spokeswoman Lauren Burm.

Following the shutdown, the high-pressure coolant injection system, which cools the reactor, was inoperable, so plant staff opened valves to release the steam into containment pools in the reactor vessel.

Burm issued the following statement via email Friday: "Entergy continues to investigate the root cause of the events and we will continue to share information with the NRC about our procedures and actions taken that helped assure safety at the plant before, during and after the storm."

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has classified this week's shutdown as "an unplanned shutdown with complications," which will affect the plant's quarterly performance report in April.

— Christine Legere

http://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20150130/NEWS/150139925/101015/NEWSLETTER100