‘Unusual event’ reported at Brunswick Nuclear Plant

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — Progress Energy says operators declared an “unusual event” at the Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport today.

The power company says it was caused by a freon release from an HVAC chiller on the plant’s unit 2 turbine building roof. This chiller was removed from service for repairs. The Unusual Event was exited following repairs that stopped the freon leak.

A news release from the company says both generating units continue to operate and were not impacted by this event.

According to the release, an unusual event is a classification used to describe a condition or event that is outside normal plant operations, but poses no threat to public safety. It is the lowest of four Nuclear Regulatory Commission emergency classifications.

All appropriate federal, state and local officials have been notified, Progress Energy said.