Problem with generator shuts down N.J. nuclear reactor

With the Salem Salem 2 reactor now off-line, that leaves only one nuclear reactor in operation at the Artificial Island complex.

LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TWP. -- A problem with the generator forced the shutdown of the Salem 2 nuclear reactor early Wednesday, an official said.

The plant automatically shut down at 4:23 a.m. Tuesday, according to Joe Delmar, spokesman for the plant's operator.

A warning signal indicating some sort of malfunction with the electric generator located on the non-nuclear side of the plant caused the shutdown.

Early Wednesday afternoon Delmar said employees were still searching for the cause of the problem.

He could not estimate when Salem 2 would return to service.

The shutdown leaves only one of three reactors operated by PSEG Nuclear at its Artificial Island generating complex operating.

Salem 1 shut down in April for what was expected to be a routine refueling outage until degradation was found that some of the baffle bolts which secure a metal liner inside the core of the nuclear reactor.

First step toward a new nuclear reactor?

The process to inspect and replace any damaged bolts continues. There is no estimate when that reactor would be back in service.

With Salem 1 and 2 down, only the Hope Creek plant is producing electricity. That reactor was operating at full power, Delmar said.

Earlier this month PSEG Nuclear was granted a five-year permit which allows the company to continue to draw water from the Delaware River for cooling at its Salem 1 and Salem 2 reactors.

The company this year also received an Early Site Permit from the federal government which is the first step in a long process for the company to build a new reactor at the Artificial Island site.

When operating at full power, the plants produce enough electricity to power three million homes.

They comprise the second-largest nuclear complex in the U.S.