See more news releases in Oil & Energy | Utilities | Public Safety

Operators restart Unit 2 at PPL's Susquehanna nuclear plant

BERWICK, Pa., Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Operators at PPL's Susquehanna nuclear power plant reconnected Unit 2 to the regional power grid Thursday (11/29) after repairing a hydraulic system associated with the unit's main turbine.

The hydraulic system operates valves that enable steam to bypass the turbine during startup and certain operating conditions.

"We made repairs and, as part of our normal process for resolving plant issues, we also inspected the soundness of other related equipment," said Timothy S. Rausch , PPL Susquehanna senior vice president and chief nuclear officer.

Plant operators detected the leaks as part of routine inspections during startup procedures while at very low power levels. Operators then followed established procedures and safely shut down Unit 2 to allow for repairs.

The oil leaks did not affect employee or public safety. Employees quickly cleaned up the leaks and properly disposed of the oil.

Unit 1 continues operating safely at full power.

The Susquehanna plant, located in Luzerne County about seven miles north of Berwick, is owned jointly by PPL Susquehanna LLC and Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc. and is operated by PPL Susquehanna LLC.

PPL Susquehanna LLC is one of PPL Corporation's generating affiliates. Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) owns or controls through its subsidiaries about 19,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets, and delivers electricity and natural gas to about 10 million customers in the United States and the United Kingdom. More information is available at www.pplweb.com.

SOURCE PPL Susquehanna