Test Triggers Shutdown at Rancho Seco
A failed test caused the nuclear reactor at the rebuilt Rancho Seco power plant to shut down unexpectedly, then accidently dump 1,000 gallons of radioactive water into a safety building Wednesday, plant officials said.
In a written statement, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District said the reactor’s surprise response to a planned turbine trip, or test, caused a relief valve to open for about eight minutes due to a pressure fluctuation.
The open valve let “about 1,000 gallons of slightly radioactive” water pour into the reactor’s containment building, where it then drained into the liquid waste collection system, which utility spokeswoman Jennifer Persike said was designed for this purpose.
“There were no injuries or worker overexposures and no (radiation) release to the environment,” Persike said.
She added that plant operators anticipated that just such an accident could happen “but were hoping it wouldn’t because of changes that were made.”
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