Browns Ferry Unit 2 reactor shut down

ATHENS - The Unit 2 reactor at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant was shut down Thursday night because the unusually high water temperature on the Tennessee River reached the plant's maximum operating limit, a Tennessee Valley Authority spokesman said.

Terry Johnson said the plant's discharge permit with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management mandates action be taken when the water temperature averages 90 degree or higher during a 24-hour period.

"We've had a historic drought and extreme heat and you get warm temperatures on the river when you combine the two," Johnson said.

He said TVA officials reduced power production by 15 percent on all three units at Browns Ferry earlier the week.

"We saw the water temperature rising and we wanted to avoid closing a unit," he said.

Johnson said the reduction of production has not interrupted TVA's ability to meet power demands in the area. He doesn't expect that to change now that Unit 2 has been shut down.

"Fortunately, we have a robust power system and we expect to continue meeting those demands," Johnson said.

He added that TVA has the ability to purchase power from other operations, including independent power producers.

There isn't a timetable for restarting Unit 2, according to Johnson. He said it will depend on the weather conditions and whether officials take advantage of the opportunity to do routine maintenance on Unit 2 while it's closed.