Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues statement on Nine Mile Point Unit 2 shutdown

Published: Monday, August 08, 2011, 10:29 AM Updated: Monday, August 08, 2011, 11:24 AM

Scriba, NY -- The unusual event declared at the Nine Mile Point Unit 2 nuclear power plant early Saturday was found to be due to unidentified leakage in the plant's drywell -- the cavity surrounding the reactor -- that exceeded 10 gallons per minute, according to a statement Monday morning from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The commission states the plant began a shutdown in response to the leakage and declared the end of the unusual event at about 11:30 a.m. Saturday once it achieved “hot” shutdown, which means safety systems remains pressurized and heated even though the reactor is off-line.

The unit subsequently went to “cold” shutdown.

Further investigation revealed the leakage was coming from packing on a discharge isolation valve for a reactor coolant pump. Plant personnel will need to make repairs and do an extent-of-condition review (check similar equipment) before returning the unit to service.

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