2010-02-18 22:48:46 - Nuclear Event - USA EDIS CODE: NC-20100218-24984-USA
Date & Time: 2010-02-18 22:48:46 [UTC]
Area: USA, State of Maryland, Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Lusby Damage level: Moderate (Level 2)
Not confirmed information! Description: The two nuclear reactors at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby shut down early Thursday morning as the result of an "electrical transient," but Constellation Energy officials have said there is no danger to the public or plant employees. "We had an electrical transient that affected both units," according to Dave Fitz, senior corporate communications consultant for Constellation Energy Nuclear Group. An electrical transient is a sudden change of voltage, current or load. The transient caused a partial loss of power and both reactors to shut down at 8:24 a.m., Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Neil Sheehan wrote in an e-mail. "The plant, equipment and systems responded as designed," Fitz said. The loss of power tripped a cooling pump at the Unit 1 reactor and the main turbine and all four cooling pumps at the Unit 2 reactor, Sheehan wrote. The transient's cause has not been determined. An emergency diesel generator at Unit 2 did not start as expected, Sheehan wrote, but other power sources were available to fuel safety systems normally maintained by the generator. Fitz said the plant operators in the control room "took the appropriate action" during the shutdown. "Both of the reactors are in a stable condition and there is no threat to the public or Calvert Cliffs employees. "Our top priority will continue to be safety while site employees work to ensure we fully understand the cause of the electrical transient in order to implement appropriate repairs." NRC inspectors responded to the plant's control room and are monitoring the response of personnel, but have not identified any immediate safety concerns, Sheehan wrote.
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