Electrical Fault on Cable Causes Fire at Indian Point Nuclear Plant

The Indian Point nuclear power plant in New York experienced an electrical fire on a cable running between the two reactors last week. Control room operators at Unit 2 declared and subsequently terminated a Notice of Unusual Event, the lowest of the NRC’s four emergency classification levels.

A small fire on the cable self-extinguished moments after the fault occurred, according to Entergy. There was no impact on plant operations and no injuries as a result of the event. Both plants continued to operate at full power.

An investigation is underway into the cause of the electrical fault. According to a report from the Peekskill Patch, a bushing on a 138-kV electrical supply line failed.

Indian Point Energy Center, in Buchanan, N.Y., is home to two operating nuclear power plants, unit 2 and unit 3, which generate approximately 2000 megawatts of electricity for homes, business and public facilities in New York City and Westchester County.