Millstone unit to power down 25 percent in storm

WATERFORD, Conn. (AP) — Officials at the Millstone nuclear power complex on Connecticut's shoreline say they are powering down one of the two operating reactors to 75 percent of maximum output to help maintain the electricity grid's stability during the major storm hitting the Northeast.

Millstone spokesman Ken Holt said Monday that the grid's stability could be affected if Unit 3 was operating at 100 percent and suddenly went offline, which Millstone officials don't expect to happen. Holt says reducing the power generation also makes it easier to clear any debris from the station's water intake system from Long Island Sound.

Holt says no flooding is expected at the power station, which was built with flood walls and other protections to withstand a Category 3 hurricane.

Unit 2 remains offline for routine maintenance.