NRC finds 2 problems with emergency shutdown of NJ plant following July lightning strike

NRC finds problems in NJ nuke plant emergency

LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Federal regulators say the emergency shutdown of the nation’s oldest nuclear power plant in July exposed two low-level problems.

The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in southern New Jersey was shut down after a lightning strike knocked out electricity to the area.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says an emergency diesel generator took too long to start up because plant operators failed to notice and fix degraded components. It also found that Exelon Corp. did not adequately remove foreign material from piping to a condenser, which is used to help cool the reactor during some shutdowns.

The NRC says safety was not jeopardized. The agency says Exelon has already fixed both problems.