Oyster Creek Remains Unscathed After Hurricane

Oyster Creek Generating Station did not sustain any damage during the storm, said Neil Sheehan, spokesperson for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

“Oyster Creek definitely weathered the storm. It has been quite a week and the plant remained unscathed,” spokesperson Suzanne D’Ambrosio said.

The plant at approximately 5 p.m. last night. It achieved “cold” shut down in which the reactor was shut down and the reactor coolant systems were deheated and depressurized at 4 a.m. today, Sheehan said.

Inspectors stationed at the plant did a walk-through of the plant’s Protected Area and did not find any visible damage.

Once the hurricane passes through, operators will do another walk-through to determine if it is safe to restart the plant, D’Ambrosio said.

The restart of Oyster Creek is contingent on approval from FEMA and the State’s Office of Emergency Management, Sheehan said. Before restarting, those agencies will seek assurance that emergency routes are available and sirens are working, among other details.

“The plant was ready,” D’Ambrosio said.

Oyster Creek personnel and operators were since Thursday, Aug. 25.

Oyster creek once it was determined that the plant could be in the path of the storm and formal procedures and preparations were enacted, D’Ambrosio said.

Plant operators have assured that all plant safety systems are operational; that all outside equipment, materials and other items are properly secured and stowed, and that plant procedures related to the affects of a hurricane are reviewed and ready for use if needed, D’Ambrosio said.

Oyster Creek is the oldest operating nuclear plant in the country and provides enough around-the-clock electricity for 600,000 New Jersey homes and began commercial operations in 1969.