Duke Power unsure when Oconee-3 nuclear unit will return

Washington (Platts)--1Sep2005

Duke Power does not have any projections of when its 846-MW Oconee-3
nuclear power plant unit will return to service following its trip off-line
Wednesday and is continuing its investigation the trip, a company spokeswoman
said Thursday. 
     The unit in Seneca, South Carolina tripped during routine maintenance
testing of the control rod drive system when power to the system was lost, she
said. 
     The spokeswoman said some of the unit's safety systems actuated during
the trip and operated as designed. In an event report to the NRC, Duke said
the safety significance of the trip was low. 
     An NRC spokesman said the agency is considering its response to the trip.
NRC's options include some type of follow-up inspection, such as a special
inspection team, he said.

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