Federal nuclear regulators cite Millstone for 'very low' safety issues related to water pump

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says a special inspection of a backup pump at the Millstone Power Station has raised two findings it characterizes as of "very low safety significance."

The backup pump is used to help cool the reactor after a shutdown.

NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan said Thursday the pump failed to pass tests on July 15 and Sept. 10, starting and then unexpectedly stopping.

Millstone spokesman Ken Holt told The Day of New London that the NRC said Dominion overall responded acceptably and took appropriate action to correct potential causes. He says Millstone has run the pump 10 times successfully.

The findings are the latest among safety and security problems the NRC has identified at Connecticut's sole nuclear power plant. The agency announced two findings earlier this week related to security.