NRC Issues Report on February Incident at Oconee Nuclear Station

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a report in which they determined that the automatic shutdown last winter of Oconee Reactor Unit Number 2 was due to the mechanical failure of a fuse.

The Commission determined that no release occurred and the plant response was normal. They added that the unusual event had no impact on the health and safety of the public. While the February 5th incident sparked initial reports of a fire, the Commission acknowledged the presence of smoke, but stated that no fire resulted.

Since the incident, corrective actions have been implemented, according to Duke Energy officials.