Water leak shuts Connecticut's Millstone reactor

WATERFORD, Conn. (AP) - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says Connecticut's Millstone nuclear power plant has shut one of its two reactors to stop a water leak.

Neil Sheehan, a spokesman for the federal agency, said Tuesday the reactor in southeast Connecticut was shut Saturday because the leak exceeded the plant's specifications. He said the reactor remains down.

Millstone spokesman Ken Holt says the water is used to cool plant equipment, not the reactor, and is not radioactive. He would not say when the plant would return to service.

The federal agency monitored the shutdown, which occurred without problems, and says it will follow repair work to make sure it is done safely.

When fully in service, Millstone generates nearly 2,100 megawatts, which it says is enough electricity to power 500,000 homes.

Millstone is owned by Dominion Resources Inc. in Richmond, Va.