Progress Energy Provides Update on Crystal River Nuclear Plant Outage

Progress Energy PGN Florida has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Florida Public Service Commission that the Crystal River Nuclear Plant will remain out of service while the company conducts a thorough engineering analysis and review of the new delamination. Options to return the plant to service will be analyzed after the report is complete. The company cannot estimate a return to service date for CR3 at this time. In mid March, final retensioning of tendons within the Crystal River Nuclear Plant containment building was suspended while engineers investigated evidence of an additional delamination (or separation) resulting from the tendon retensioning work. The initial damage occurred in late 2009 in the concrete at the periphery of the containment building while creating an opening in the structure to facilitate the replacement of the steam generators inside. The unit was already shut down for refueling and maintenance at the time the damage was found. The plant has been shut down since September of 2009 and there continues to be no threat to public health and safety. Progress Energy continues to coordinate repair and restart plans with Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials.