Braceville, Ill. – Both generating reactors at Exelon’s Braidwood Nuclear Plant were shut down early Monday as steam released into the atmosphere after a malfunction.
The Unit 2 turbine tripped offline about 2:06 a.m., and Unit 1 shut down 13 minutes later, company spokesman Neal Miller said.
“The fault was on Unit 2, but we don’t know what caused it yet. I believe this is the first time there has been a dual-unit trip,” he said. “Both units will remain offline while the cause is being investigated and we make the necessary repairs.”
According to the Nuclear Energy Information Service, a watchdog organization, nearby residents reported a “loud screaming noise started from the plant, followed by clouds of … steam.” The steam and noise continued Monday, but the “jet engine volume” diminished.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission reported both reactors are listed at “zero power output.”
“The steam was released into the atmosphere to relieve the pressure (in the units),” Miller said. “[The steam] contains low-levels of tritium, but there is no hazard.”
Exelon said environmental experts tested the tritium levels Monday.
“As this happened overnight, we understand our neighbors may have heard the venting steam and we want to make sure they know there is no cause for concern,” Station Site Vice President Amir Shahkarami said.
Originally reported by FOX News Chicago. Read the original article here.