Central Coast Nuclear Plant Shut Down For Repairs

SAN LUIS OBISPO (AP) — One of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power reactors has been shut down for repairs because of a problem with a water pump supplying the steam generators at the California coastal plant.

Plant operator Pacific Gas & Electric Co. says Unit 2 at the twin-reactor San Luis Obispo County facility was shut down Saturday afternoon.

Plant spokesman Paul Flake said Tuesday that sensors indicated there was a problem with a pump in the non-nuclear, turbine side of the plant. He says PG&E made a conservative decision to manually shut down the reactor.

It's not known how long repairs will take. The Unit 1 reactor continues to operate at full power.

The San Luis Obispo County Tribune says the twin reactors produce enough electricity to power 2.2 million homes.

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