L’Observateur / September 21, 1998

TAFT – Waterford 3 nuclear power plant has been socked with another problem, it was announced Friday. One of two pressurized relief valves onthe reactor coolant system developed a leak.

This is on the heels of problems with one of two main transformers, which took the plant off the main grid and cut the plant back to 30 percent operations level Sept. 9.Spokeswoman Charlotte Thomas said as to this latest problem, “There is no safety significance.” She added it was not necessary to report it to theNuclear Regulatory Agency, but the company did anyway.

“It’s well below the technical spec limits,” Thomas added.

Officials at the plant took the facility offline to make repairs, and the timing of repairs in both projects are being coordinated to finish at the same time.

A controlled shutdown began at 8 p.m. Thursday, and it is hoped to haveeverything repaired and the plant brought back up and on the main grid soon.

Back on Sept. 9, Waterford inspectors confirmed indications of problemsat one of their two main transformers.

Moisture which had the potential to damage windings and insulating material which could cause transformer failure was discovered during routine maintenance work.

A spare transformer already on site was brought up and the plant continued to generate and store electricity produced, while taking every precaution, considering the current weather conditions, to ensure employee safety.

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