Cook Nuclear Plant reactor may not restart until 2010

Associated Press Report

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Cook Nuclear Plant

(Tribune file photo)

By SBT 24/7 News

Story Created: Dec 2, 2008 at 5:24 AM EST

Story Updated: Dec 2, 2008 at 4:08 PM EST

LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — American Electric Power Co. says a reactor at its Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant will not be back in service until at least next September or perhaps even sometime in 2010.

The plant is near Bridgman in Berrien County.

One of its two reactors was shut down on Sept. 20 after severe vibrations caused by broken low-pressure turbine blades damaged the main turbine and generator, causing a fire.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company said Monday in a written statement that it doesn't expect the Unit 1 reactor to be back in service before September.

If the turbine rotors must be replaced instead of repaired, the reactor won't be up and running again until 2010 due to long lead times in manufacturing.

The shutdown does not affect service to consumers.

Together, both Cook plants generate about 6 percent of the total capacity of American Electric Power. But when one or both facilities go down, AEP switches to coal-fired production until the facilities are back online, Cook spokesman Bill Schalk said at the time of the fire.

"It's a big plant," he added. "It can supply a million and a half homes."

SBT24/7 News contributed to this report.

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