Washington (Platts)--18Apr2008

Nuclear plants in the Midwest remained online following an earthquake
early April 18 in southern Illinois that was felt across the region.
The US Geological Survey said the initial quake, with a 5.2 magnitude
(moderate), occurred at about 4:37 am CDT; a strong aftershock, with a 4.6
magnitude, occurred at about 10:14 am CDT. Exelon Nuclear, which operates all
six nuclear power plants in Illinois, said none was affected by the quake,
although operators performed walk-downs to search for potential impacts. In a
statement, Exelon said early that day that it confirmed the quake did not
damage equipment or otherwise affect operations. It said it planned additional
inspections throughout the day.
The reactor closest to the quake's epicenter was Exelon's Clinton, at 140
miles north. In Michigan, Entergy's Palisades and American Electric Power's
Cook declared unusual events, the lowest of NRC's four emergency action
levels. At Palisades, spokesman Mark Savage said a UE was declared about 6 am
EDT. It was still in effect by mid-afternoon as operators inspected and
monitored critical equipment and conducted primary leak rate tests following
an aftershock, he said. AEP declared a UE shortly after the quake hit, and
again following the aftershock. It separately terminated the UEs, the latest
at 4 pm EDT, after inspecting both Cook units and determining there was no
damage. Officials from two key fuel cycle facilities in the affected area --
Honeywell's uranium conversion facility in Metropolis, Illinois and USEC's
gaseous diffusion uranium enrichment plant in Paducah, Kentucky -- said there
was no impact on their plants.