Nuclear Reactor Shuts Down During Blizzard

There is no danger to the public, according to officials

Massachusetts' only nuclear power plant was forced to shut down as the blizzard's relentless winds and snow lashed the coast, but there was no danger to the public, officials say.

The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth shut down automatically around 4 a.m. Tuesday after the storm interrupted the electrical connections it uses to send electricity to the grid were interrupted, plant officials said in a statement.

Safety systems worked as designed, and there was no threat to plant workers or the public, officials said. "All safety systems worked (as) designed and plant conditions are stable," plant owner Entergy tweeted.

The facility — the only nuclear power plant in Massachusetts — was being powered by emergency diesel generators and could tap into an offsite power source if needed, officials said.

State Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton said he did not know when Pilgrim might go back on line.

But plant management said the facility has enough fuel onsite to run the emergency generators for 10 days and can have more fuel delivered, if necessary.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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