Jun 9 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - The Keene Sentinel, N.H.



Officials from the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant reported another radioactive leak Tuesday to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but say the cause was quickly identified and has been resolved.

The leak of radioactive waste from a one-inch relief valve in the plant's cooling system was contained inside the plant and did not get into the environment, according to plant spokesman Laurence M. Smith.

When the problem was discovered on Tuesday, the valve was leaking at a rate of more than one gallon per minute. The waste was running into a floor drain and being pumped back into the system.

According to federal regulations, plant officials had four hours to report the leak to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and 24 hours to isolate the source and stop the leak before the plant would have to be shut down, Smith said.

Workers stopped the leak Tuesday afternoon and the valve was replaced about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Smith said.

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