N.J. nuclear reactor back in service after refueling, maintenance

This was the 20th refueling outage at Hope Creek which went into service in 1986.

LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TWP. -- The Hope Creek nuclear reactor returned to service late Friday afternoon after a scheduled refueling outage, a utility official said.

The plant began sending out electricity over the regional power grid at 5:32 p.m., according to Grace Hymer, a spokeswoman for the PSEG Nuclear, the plant's operator.

Hope Creek is one of three reactors operated by PSEG at its Artificial Island generating station near the mouth of the Delaware River in Salem County. Hope Creek is distinguished by its landmark 512-foot cooling tower.

"The work completed this refueling outage will improve equipment reliability and help ensure that Hope Creek continues to provide safe, clean reliable power for New Jersey and the region for many years to come," Hymer said in a release announcing the plant was back online.

The outage began on Oct. 14. Since then more than 12,500 work activities were performed by PSEG employees as well as 1,000 outside contractors, Hymer said.

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Work included replacing approximately one third of the reactor's 764 fuel assemblies, maintenance on equipment like the turbine turning gear and hydraulic control units and replacement of equipment including a condensate pump.

This was the 20^th refueling outage for Hope Creek since it went into service in 1986. The plant produces enough electricity to power one million homes.

Early Friday evening the plant was at 20 percent power and ascending toward full power, Hymer said.

Nuclear plants are generally shut down every 18 months for refueling and general maintenance.

Hope Creek along with the other two reactors at Artificial Island -- Salem 1 and Salem 2 -- comprise the second-largest nuclear generating complex in terms of power output in the United States. Only the Palo Verde nuclear complex in Arizona is larger.