An Ameren Corp. nuclear plant in Central Missouri shut down Wednesday due to an electrical equipment failure, but the company and federal regulators say there is no risk to the public.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said an “unexpected main turbine trip” caused the shutdown at 12:22 a.m. at Ameren’s Callaway nuclear power plant near Fulton.
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The shutdown was concerning to Ed Smith of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment.
“Unexpected shutdowns like today show how nuclear electricity production can go from 100 percent to 0 percent without warning,” Smith said in a statement. “Nuclear energy comes with its own set of risks and vulnerabilities that are often minimized by the industry and its supporters.”
McLachlan said shutdowns are rare at the Callaway plant and this was the first in more than two years. He said there was no reason to send employees home because there was no threat to public safety.
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