NRC downgrades Entergy's Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan from second to third column in five-column safety rating for two incidents last year that raised safety concerns
Tracy McDonald
COVERT TOWNSHIP, Michigan
,
February 14, 2012
(press release)
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has downgraded the Palisades nuclear power plant in southwestern Michigan following an investigation of 2 incidents last year that raised safety concerns.
The NRC notified the plant Tuesday of its decision.
The agency groups nuclear plants into 1 of 5 regulatory columns depending on their performance, with the fifth category being the worst. Palisades was bumped from the second to the third column.
The Kalamazoo Gazette (http://bit.ly/wyQROm ) reports that Palisades is 1 of only four plants in the nation in either the third or fourth columns. None are in the fifth.
Palisades spokesman Mark Savage tells The Associated Press the violations that caused the NRC investigation involved equipment or maintenance. He says the plant is operating safely.
Palisades is owned by New Orleans-based Entergy Corp.
Information from: Kalamazoo Gazette, http://www.mlive.com/kalamazoo
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