Another Degradated Part Forces Reactor 2 at Indian Point to Shut Down

OH MY GOD...another significant break down at Indian Point due to rusted, corroded, degradated, failing part, and of course the memorized public relations release that we were never in any danger, and no radioactive materials were released into the public...let's study that last line a minute. No radioactive materials released into the public domain. Could Entergy spokesperson's STEETS clarify that line a bit? Were any radioactive particulates released ON THE SITE, inside the building where the machinery is located? A radioactive release, even if only on site exposes WORKERS to additional radioactive exposure risks. Stop playing games Entergy, and tell the truth, instead of putting out pablum.

Indian Point 2 shut down because of problems with steam generator
By GREG CLARY
THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: May 29, 2007)

BUCHANAN - Indian Point officials hope to have Indian Point 2 back on line by this weekend after the 1,000-megawatt nuclear plant had to be shut down on Memorial Day due to problems with a regulating valve.

The valve is on the system that feeds water to one of the four generators that produce steam. The steam turns a turbine, which creates electricity.

The problem, which happened on the non-nuclear side of the Indian Point 2 plant, showed up about 5:30 a.m. yesterday and workers started reducing the plant's production of electricity to 20 percent. At that level, the valve could be removed without shutting down the plant because of backup valves that operate only at the lower levels.

Workers determined that the valve couldn't be fixed while Indian Point 2 was operating, so they safely shut it down at 3:45 p.m., according to officials from Entergy Nuclear Northeast, which owns and operates Indian Point. The second working reactor at the Buchanan site, Indian Point 3, was unaffected and continues to run at 100 percent.

There was no release of radioactivity to the environment, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local public officials were notified of the shut-down, Entergy officials said.

Check back for updates at LoHud.com and read more about this story tomorrow in The Journal News.