Disputed Czech N-plant shuts down due to pump problem

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

Disputed Czech N-plant shuts down due to pump problem
  
PRAGUE, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Safety systems have shut down the 
reactor of the controversial Czech nuclear power station at Temelin, 
which has caused a bitter diplomatic row with neighbouring Austria. 

The Temelin plant operator CEZ said in a statement the reactor 
went into automatic shutdown late on Friday night. 

The statement said a failure in the plant's condenser pumps 
caused the shutdown and that the state nuclear regulatory agency 
(SUBJ) was informed of the action. It did not say when operations 
would be resumed. 

SUBJ said later the shutdown was normal and showed the plant's 
safety systems were working well. 

SUJB chairwoman Dana Drabova told Czech state radio that such 
ae shutdown was something that both CEZ and the SUBJ "must 
expect to happen during testing periods." 

"Actually, these kind of situations are expected to occur more 
often (during testing periods). This shows Temelin's equipment and 
safety systems are working very well. 

"Obviously this will not be the last problem, but it is not significant 
with regard to the plant's safety," she said. 

The shutdown came just hours after the plant had been given 
approval by the SUBJ to raise output to 30 percent. 

On Wednesday, the Czech government agreed to Austrian 
demands for international monitoring at the plant in an attempt to 
resolve a row with its neighbour. 

Fiercely anti-nuclear Austria says the Soviet-designed station, built 
some 50 km (30 miles) from the Austrian border and which began 
operating in October, is unsafe. 

It has threatened to block Prague's bid to join the EU unless its 
demands are met. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Personal Website: http://sandyfl.nukeworker.net
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