Texas A-Plant Has Third Emergency in 4 Months

The Comanche Peak nuclear power plant experienced its third “unusual event” in four months with the release of non-radioactive steam into the atmosphere, utility officials said.

Steam was released late Monday from the only operable reactor in the twin-reactor plant when a steam relief valve apparently malfunctioned and opened too wide.

An “unusual event” is the lowest of four categories of emergencies defined by regulators. There never was a threat to the public, a plant spokesman said.