Nebraska nuke plant declares low-level emergency state, citing rising Missouri River nearby

Neb. N-plant declares low-level emergency state

BROWNVILLE, Neb. — A nuclear power plant near Brownville in southeast Nebraska notified public and federal regulators early Tuesday that it was in a low-level emergency state because of flooding from the rising Missouri River nearby.

The Cooper Nuclear Station declared a “Notification of Unusual Event” at 2:06 a.m. CDT. The plant said in a statement that there was no threat to plant employees or the public.

The plant owner, Nebraska Public Power District, said the plant was operating safely.

NPPD said the declaration was the lowest of four emergency classifications set up by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission for nuclear power plants.

NPPD said the declaration was a routine part of the plant’s emergency-preparedness procedures for flooding. Whenever the river reaches 42.5 feet, the declaration must be made, NPPD said. The plant sits three miles southeast of Brownville, near the river.

NPPD said it could continue generating power at Cooper until the river hits 45.5 feet. Then it would be taken offline as a safety precaution.

The National Weather Service said in a flood warning posted at 3:16 Tuesday morning that the river was at 42.5 feet, 10.5 feet above flood stage, and was headed to near 42.9 feet later in the day. Then it was expected to fall.

The district provides power to about 1 million Nebraskans through retail service to about 80 communities and wholesale service to 52 towns and 25 rural districts and cooperatives.

Online:

NPPD: www.nppd.com/