SC nuclear plant shut down by coolant issue

(article originally appeared in The State)

A South Carolina nuclear reactor shut down after regulators say a motor that powers a pump to cool the reactor malfunctioned.

Randy Musser of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the reactor at H.B. Robinson plant in Hartsville shut itself down early Friday when the problems developed. Backup coolant systems took over, and Musser says two other pumps are working.

The reactor remained shut down Friday afternoon. Musser says the NRC will do a full investigation of the plant, which is owned by Progress Energy of Raleigh, N.C.

Robinson shut down last month after a control problem with one of the plant's turbines. Earlier this year, two electrical system fires led to a nearly four-month shutdown of the plant, which reopened in July.