Down four and a half days, nuclear plant resumes operation
Progress Energy says it will pass on the cost of buying substitute power to customers.
By JORGE SANCHEZ, Times Staff Writer
Published August 24, 2006
CRYSTAL RIVER - The nuclear-powered electrical generator at the Progress Energy site came back on line at 5 p.m. Wednesday, following an outage that began early Saturday.
The nuclear plant was shut down at 2 a.m. Saturday when a water line for a steam generator sprang a leak.
While the incident was not termed as major, a Progress Energy spokeswoman said the utility had to purchase power to make up the shortfall, a cost that would be passed on to customers.
"Of course, it will have that effect, because nuclear power is the least expensive form of energy," said Progress Energy spokeswoman Carla Groleau. "That's the way rates are structured."
In announcing the outage, Progress Energy officials first declined to say when the 838-megawatt nuclear reactor would be turned back on, citing competitive reasons.
"There are very good reasons not to share that information," Groleau said. "That gives the energy sellers a competitive advantage."
She also said the Progress Energy has a diverse portfolio of energy interests, and focuses on using the cheapest form of energy available.
"If natural gas is low one day, then that's what we'll be using the most of ," she said. "We are protecting our customers this way."
Jorge Sanchez can be contacted at sanchez@sptimes.com or 860-7313 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505 ext. 7313.
