Wolf Creek still idle
The Associated Press
Originally published 12:09 p.m., January 16, 2008
Updated 10:38 a.m., January 17, 2008
Wolf Creek still idle
BURLINGTON — The Wolf Creek nuclear power plant in southeast Kansas remains idle, five days after operators shut down the facility for what they termed “technical reasons.”
Plant spokesperson Jenny Hageman said inspectors have identified the problem and are working to resolve it. Officials hoped to bring the plant back online by today.
Hageman says the problem concerns a system of pipes that normally carry water to cool the reactor in the event of an emergency. Last Friday, operators discovered that the pipes were full of air and gas instead of water.
Hageman says the network of pipes is just one of many redundant cooling systems at the plant.
CORRECTION:
Last Friday, operators of Wolf Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Burlington, Kan., discovered pockets of nitrogen gas and air bubbles in a water pipe, which is part of an emergency cooling system. (From Jenny Hageman)