Millstone probes problems restarting nuke reactor

WATERFORD, Conn. (AP) - Officials at Millstone Power Station are analyzing what kept operators from restarting a nuclear reactor that was shut for refueling.

The Day of New London reports Ken Holt, spokesman for Millstone owner Dominion Resources Inc., said Monday that Millstone was continuing to isolate the cause of the problem while preparing to restart.

Holt and Neil Sheehan, a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, say operators halted the startup Sunday evening after an auxiliary steam boiler shut off unexpectedly. The shut-off caused a loss of vacuum conditions used to run a condenser.

Sheehan said no safety issues were associated with the shutdown.

Holt said the reactor in southeast Connecticut was shut for several weeks to replenish fuel in the reactor and correct equipment problems discovered during outage maintenance reviews.

___

Information from: The Day