© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Feds plan special inspection of Michigan nuke plant

The Fermi 2 nuclear reactor near Monroe, Michigan began shutting down last Sunday night. It's expected to be offline for a month.
NRC
The Fermi 2 nuclear reactor near Monroe, Michigan began shutting down last Sunday night. It's expected to be offline for a month.

FRENCHTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Federal officials are planning a special inspection of the Fermi 2 nuclear power plant this year because the Monroe-area facility's reactor was shut down too many times in 2012.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the supplemental inspection will be in addition to routine or required inspections conducted annually at the plant and is required because Fermi 2 had three unplanned shutdowns within 7,000 hours of reactor operating time.

The Monroe Evening News reports the most recent unplanned shutdown happened in November when a hydrogen gas leak developed in the cooling system of the plant's main electrical generator and operators shut down the reactor. The plant was idled for nearly two months.

Plant spokesman Guy Cerullo says officials have "instituted rigorous corrective actions to minimize these types of shutdowns."

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.
Related Content