Unit at Brunswick Nuclear Plant remains in shutdown

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A spokesperson for the Brunswick Nuclear Plant says a unit at the facility remains in shutdown mode, while officials work through "detailed process/procedures to fully understand this event and make the needed repairs to return the unit to service."

An alert triggered at the facility around 1:30 p.m. Sunday due to damage in an electrical panel.

The emergency classification is used when abnormal events have the potential to impact plant equipment or public health and safety.

This situation never posed a threat to public safety, according to the Department of Public Safety. However, officials say it provided the state's emergency response team with an opportunity to test and coordinate plans and procedures.

At 5:30 p.m. the alert was downgraded to an Unusual Event as plant operators realigned plant equipment.

An Unusual Event is the lowest of four nuclear emergency classifications.

Since then, the Brunswick Nuclear Plant has exited all event classifications.

Officials say there is no risk to public health or safety, nor is any expected, according to the Department of Public Safety.

"The swift and coordinated response among all agencies involved demonstrates that North Carolina has a seasoned emergency management team that stands ready to protect the public," said Mike Sprayberry, state Emergency Management director.

No estimated timeline has been given for getting Unit 1 back into service.

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