Feds Inspect Pump at Nuclear Complex

Officials are examining a critical backup water pump that failed routine tests at Millstone in Waterford, Conn.

Federal inspectors are at the Millstone nuclear power complex in Waterford to examine a critical backup water pump that failed routine tests in July and last week.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says a team of three officials was to begin the special inspection Monday. The water in-take pump is one of several that can be used to help cool the Millstone 3 unit reactor, if offsite power and diesel generators fail.

Millstone spokesman Ken Holt says there was a problem with an electrical relay and repair crews finished fixing it Saturday.

Regulators said they were concerned because of repeated problems with the pump, which shut down unexpectedly during quarterly surveillance tests on July 15 and last Wednesday.

The two reactors at Millstone provide half of Connecticut's power.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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