Incident at Braidwood

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate use                                                                  Contact:
Monday, August 16, 2010                                                     Dave Kraft, NEIS, (773)342-7650
                                                                                  

INCIDENT AT BRAIDWOOD NUCLEAR POWER STATION – BOTH REACTORS SHUT DOWN

CHICAGO—Reports have come in from local residents living near the Braidwood nuclear power station that a steam release seems to be emanating from Exelon’s twin Braidwood nuclear reactors, 50 miles southwest of Chicago .
           According to NRC website, both reactors are listed at zero power output.
           Local residents report that around 2 a.m., a loud screaming noise started from the plant, followed by clouds of what seemed to be steam.  Locals report that the clouds of steam still seem to be emanating from the plant, possibly in an area between the reactors and the turbine building.  While the noise has lessened, it still persists.
           Several years ago, a large steam jet exited the side of one of the Braidwood reactors, resulting in similar conditions – loud noise, as loud as a jet plane, and billows of steam.
           Calls and e-mail to NRC Region III calling for clarification of the conditions at the reactor site have not yet been returned. (630)829-9663.
           The Braidwood incident follows the heat-related power reduction and fish kill at the LaSalle reactors in August 13-14; and the shut down of Quad Cities 1 reactor on August 13th.
           More details will follow as they come in

--30—

Nuclear Energy information Service is a non-profit nuclear power watchdog and safe-energy education organization.

Back to the top of this Page

Copyright 2004 - 2008 NEIS, Nuclear Energy Information Service
Last Revised 12/09/10