Mike Paoli, Public
Affairs, 509-377-4164
John
Dobken, Public Affairs, 509-377-8369
RICHLAND, Wash. – Operators
took Columbia Generating Station offline today at 4:05 p.m. following an issue
with a valve connected to the plant’s steam condenser. The valve, located in
the station’s turbine building, failed closed, causing a loss of vacuum
necessary to pull steam through the condenser. The plant is stable, the valve
has been re-opened and work is beginning to bring Columbia back online, to
include maintenance on associated plant systems.
“Following
our refueling and maintenance outage the team has had Columbia running well,
even setting a record for July generation,” said Bob Schuetz, plant general
manager. “We expect to pick up where we left off after a thorough review of the
valve and performing any maintenance that is required.”
Columbia
Generating Station, with an output of more than 1,200 megawatts electric
(gross), is the third largest generator of electricity in Washington state. All
of its electricity is sold at-cost to the Bonneville Power Administration. Ninety-two
Northwest utilities receive a percentage of its output.
About Energy Northwest
Energy Northwest develops, owns and operates a diverse mix of electricity generating resources, including hydro, solar and wind projects – and the Northwest’s only nuclear energy facility. These projects provide enough reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy to power more than a million homes each year, and that carbon-free electricity is provided at the cost of generation. As a Washington state, joint action agency, Energy Northwest comprises 27 public power member utilities from across the state serving more than 1.5 million ratepayers. The agency continually explores new generation projects to meet its members’ needs.
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