The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station returned to the grid Sunday, following a malfunction with the Massachusetts plant’s condenser system and operator Entergy’s decision to power the facility down ahead of winter storm Niko.
The 44-year-old facility, which is due to close in 2019, was reduced to 28 percent power on Feb. 7, after Entergy identified a leakage issue involving the plant’s condenser system.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is finalizing a special inspection related to the 2015 downgrade of the facility to Column 4 of the agency’s Action Matrix, the lowest safety rating for an operating nuclear plant. Pilgrim has experienced several unplanned shutdowns and operational issues dating to 2013.
“The plant remains committed to providing safe, clean power for the region until May 31, 2019,” spokesman Patrick O’Brien said in a statement Sunday.