Millstone Unit 3 output reduced due to leak
Waterford — Unit 3 at the Millstone Power Station has been operating at 88 percent power since Tuesday, when a small leak was found in a heater that is part of the feedwater system for the steam turbines that produce the electricity.
Richard Zuercher, spokesman for Millstone owner Dominion Resources, said Thursday that the plant had to be down-powered to allow repairs to be made to the heater. He said the repairs are expected to be completed soon, enabling the nuclear plant to return to full power.
Neil Sheehan, spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said NRC resident inspectors at Millstone have been following the repair work and do not have any immediate safety concerns. The repairs have involved welding work on the heater, he added.
Unit 3 is the larger of the two operating reactors at Millstone. Unit 2 currently is out of service for scheduled refueling and maintenance.
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