Backup power probed at CA nuke plant
The San Onofre nuclear power plant in San Clemente, Calif. (Jun. 30, 2011) Credit: AP
Equipment used for decades at California's troubled San Onofre nuclear power plant might have temporarily severed the plant's emergency power supply during an earthquake.
Operator Southern California Edison said Tuesday it's disabled the equipment and is investigating.
The company reported the issue to federal regulators as "an unanalyzed condition that significantly degraded plant safety."
Edison says other backup systems were in place.
At issue are vibration sensors in use since 1981 on emergency diesel generators. The generators start if the plant loses its outside power supply — a possibility during an earthquake.
But engineers at the idled plant between Los Angeles and San Diego found the sensors might incorrectly shut down the generators during an earthquake.
The plant needs power to control heat in the twin reactors.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
