Wppss Reactor Shuts Down When Error Trips Turbine

The state’s only commercial nuclear reactor automatically shut down Saturday when a turbine tripped off-line, the Washington Public Power Supply System said.

The turbine problem resulted from an error during monthly testing of the WPPSS Plant No. 2’s turbine valves, WPPSS said. At the time of the shutdown, power had been reduced to 80 percent because ot the testing.

The reactor was expected to be returned to full power in five to six days. Engineers planned to begin maintenance and surveillance testing to prepare for the restart.

The reactor supplies about 10 percent of the power needs of the Bonneville Power Administration, the Northwest’s federal power-marketing agency.