Electrical issues forces shutdown of Missouri nuclear plant; no risk to the public, NRC says

Ameren Corp.'s nuclear plant in mid-Missouri has been shut down due to an electrical equipment failure, but the company and federal regulators say there is no risk to the public.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says an "unexpected main turbine trip" caused the shutdown at 12:22 a.m. at Ameren's Callaway nuclear power plant near Fulton.

Mark McLachlan, Ameren's senior director of engineering at the plant, says the issue is strictly electrical. He says there was no radiation release and no threat to the safety of employees or the public.

McLachlan says customers will see no effect because other power plants will compensate.

NRC spokeswoman Lara Uselding says the cause of the shutdown is still being determined. It isn't clear when the plant will start generating electricity again.