Entergy's Pilgrim nuclear power plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts, back online after small radioactive steam leak caused shutdown; output being gradually raised to full capacity over weekend

Tracy McDonald

PLYMOUTH, Massachusetts , December 30, 2011 (Associated Press) – Entergy nuke plant in Mass. resumes generating power after small leak forced shutdown

Entergy Corp. says its Pilgrim nuclear power plant in Plymouth, Mass., has resumed generating electricity after a small leak of radioactive steam in a safety relief valve forced officials to shut it down.

Spokesman Rob Williams says the plant began generating about 20 percent of its power Friday afternoon. The output is being gradually raised back to full capacity over the weekend.

The leak discovered on Monday was contained within the plant's piping and was never a threat to workers or the general public. The incident required the reactor to be shut down to extract the leaking valve so that it could be investigated.

New Orleans-based Entergy did not immediately say what caused the leak.

Williams says federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspectors stationed at the power plant were kept informed of the progress of the work.

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