Watch CBS News

1 Of 2 Reactors At Calvert Cliffs Plant Shut Down

LUSBY, Md. (AP) -- Constellation Energy Nuclear Group says one of two nuclear reactors at the Calvert Cliffs power plant shut down automatically after a malfunction.

Calvert Cliffs spokesman Kory Raftery says valves that feed turbines in Unit 2 unexpectedly shut down Wednesday evening and the reactor was taken offline. He says workers at the southern Maryland plant followed their training and there was no public safety threat.

Raftery says the unit will remain offline while a team investigates why the valves shut down, but it's not clear when they will return to service.

This unit's last unplanned shutdown was in 2010. Unit 1 shut down in 2012 after a control rod unexpectedly dropped into the reactor core.

The plant is located along the Chesapeake Bay near Lusby, about 70 miles south of Baltimore.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.