*smoke but no fire reports say
Like some kind of welcome back celebration for returning spokesflack Rob Williams Vermont Yankee is running at reduced power due to a smoky electrical generator problem.
According to Vermont Yankee spokesman Rob Williams, there was an electrical failure in one of the two motor generator sets, which controls the reactor's power by varying the flow of reactor cooling water.
Oh, and of course, nothing to see here, no danger, no problems. But it is kind of smoky in here and it could have been the same problem from last time but who knows…
"This is not related to plant safety," Williams told the Reformer. "The plant will remain online at the reduced power output until the investigation of what happened is complete and proper repairs are made."
On Sept. 30, 2011, the plant was forced to reduce its power output after one of its recirculation pumps had an electrical problem.
Williams said it's unclear at this time if it's the same pump or not
The big argument for Yankee is that it provides “baseload power” that can be counted on to provide a consistent supply. You know, “safe, clean, and reliable”? We have our doubts about the first two words there; at what point does “reliable” no longer apply?
And did Yankee’s reliability issues play a role in ISO New England’s recent statement that the plant is not needed for the stability of the regional grid?
Plant safety – so our legislators can discuss this kind of thing. Part of the appeal should be to read aloud all press releases that indicate a shut down or slowdown due to some various calamity as not being related to plant safety.
Here I had thought that due to the NRC, what happens in VY stays in VY. Thanks Rob for making clear all these areas that fall out of that blak hole of ‘regulation’.
may I just add that we still have heard nothing further about that mysterious office fire (was it more than a year ago?) that gave Williams an opportunity to wildly accuse opponents of attempted arson.