Pilgrim Plant Powered Down After Small Leak Discovered; Public Not in Danger

COURTESY PILGRIM NUCLEAR POWER STATION

PLYMOUTH – A small leak found in a main steam line Thursday at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth has prompted Entergy to power the plant down completely.

A statement from the plant’s owner Friday night said the leak was found as part of the routine post-testing operation they have been performing this week.

The leak was discovered during what is known as a “walkdown” by a Pilgrim operator.

A plant spokesman said there is no impact to the safety of the public or plant staff.

Entergy said they would not comment on when the plant would return to operation.

The news of the leak comes one day after Pilgrim announced a reduction in power due to scheduled testing on a turbine stop valve.

According to Plant spokesman Patrick O’Brien, the testing is required quarterly to ensure that the turbine performs as expected when the plant comes offline for any reason.

During the power reduction, the plant will also be conducting inspections, maintenance and testing that cannot be otherwise done with the plant operating at full power.

Information on when the plant will return to 100 percent power will not be made public as Entergy Officials say that it is market sensitive.

Members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission conducted inspections at the plant from November 28-December 8 and will return on January 9.

Pilgrim has been named by the NRC as one of the three worst performing plants in the country.