Mike Paoli, Public
Affairs, 509-377-4164
John Dobken, Public Affairs, 509-377-8369
RICHLAND, Wash. – A
Bonneville Power Administration cold-weather related transmission event led to
a Columbia Generating Station reactor scram – safe shutdown of the reactor – at
11:24 a.m. today. Equipment malfunctioned at the nearby Ashe Substation,
resulting in loss of the 500 kilovolt line connecting the plant’s main output
transformers to the substation.
In
response, Columbia’s output breakers properly opened to separate the plant from
any potential grid transients. Columbia’s operating crew successfully
stabilized the plant.
“It’s
unfortunate that this happened while we were on our way to closing out what
still may be a record generation year,” said Bob Schuetz, plant general manager
at Columbia. “The plant remains safe, and we anticipate being back on the grid once
we have more thoroughly reviewed what caused the BPA transmission event.”
All
of Columbia’s electricity is sold at cost to BPA. 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. Energy Northwest – www.energy-northwest.com.