LACEY TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY
- The nation's oldest nuclear power plant is temporarily out of commission following an unplanned shutdown that occurred when severe storms knocked out electrical power to the Lacey Township facility.
The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station automatically shut down when thunderstorms knocked out power to the area at 1:35 a.m. on July 12, and the plant declared an "unusual event" - the lowest level of alert - 15 minutes later.
The all clear was sounded after electrical power was restored to the area at 4:05 a.m., but the plant remained off-line the following day for equipment testing. No word was given on when it might be put back into service.
The plant got a new 20-year license in April. It will be 60 years old at the end of the license.
