PPL Corporation Announces Virginia Earthquake Triggers 'Unusual Event' at Susquehanna Plant

A powerful earthquake felt throughout the mid-Atlantic region this afternoon (8/23) has not affected regular operation at PPL Corporation's PPL Susquehanna nuclear power plant near Berwick. Unit 1 of the plant continues to operate normally at full power. Unit 2 had previously shut down for maintenance and remains in safe, stable condition. PPL is delaying the return of Unit 2 to full power as a precautionary measure. PPL has declared an "unusual event" as a result of the earthquake. An unusual event is the lowest of four emergency classifications established by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for nuclear power plants.