BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant Unit 1 operated by Constellation Energy Nuclear Group (CENG) automatically went off line late Saturday after a piece of aluminum siding propelled by wind gusts hit the nuclear facility’s main transformer. Calvert Cliffs Unit 2 remains at 100 percent power.
All safety systems operated as designed when Unit 1 automatically went off line. As required by federal regulations, CENG declared an Unusual Event (UE) at 11:02 p.m. Saturday; a UE is the lowest of four emergency classifications established by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The UE presents no threat to public health or safety.
A review of the grounds at the Calvert Cliffs facility in Lusby, Md., indicated that a gust of wind associated with Hurricane Irene dislodged a piece of aluminum siding from a building, and the siding then struck the main transformer. Plant personnel were continuing comprehensive site reviews today as specified in the Calvert Cliffs emergency response plan.
A CENG fleet structure team has been activated to ensure necessary support at all CENG locations impacted by the storm. CENG’s two New York nuclear facilities, R.E. Ginna and Nine Mile Point, remain at full power today. All CENG facilities have emergency safety procedures in place, which include early and extensive preparation for storms.
CENG (a joint venture of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: CEG) and EDF Group, SA) is based in Baltimore, Maryland. CEG owns 50.01% of CENG and is a leading supplier of energy products and services to wholesale and retail electric and natural gas customers. EDF owns 49.99% of CENG and is developing strategies in North America in nuclear, renewables and trading. CENG is a leading producer of safe and reliable nuclear power. The company owns and operates five nuclear reactors at three sites in New York and Maryland. CENG’s core values are nuclear and personal safety. Nuclear energy – America’s largest source of clean-air, carbon-free, reliable electricity, producing no greenhouse gases--accounts for more than 20 percent of U.S. produced electricity, powering one in five homes and businesses across the United States.