Alert at Alabama nuclear plant 'safely resolved'

The alert at the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant unit 1 has been safely resolved as of 12:10 p.m. EDT, according to the plant's owner, Alabama Power Company. The plant declared an alert on unit 1 at 6:20 a.m. EDT on Saturday due to the inadvertent release of carbon dioxide from a fire suppression system during maintenance activities.

“Plant personnel safely isolated the carbon dioxide and verified that there was no impact to plant equipment,” Alabama Power said in a press statement. “There were no injuries to personnel and there was no danger to the public.”

An alert is the second least serious of four nuclear plant emergency classifications assigned by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Units 1 and 2 continued to operate safely at 100 percent power. "There was no release of radiation," the company added.

Plant Farley, a two-unit electric generating plant located near Dothan, Ala, is owned by Alabama Power Company and operated by Southern Nuclear Operating Company. Both are subsidiaries of Southern Company.

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Alabama nuclear power plant declares alert status

The Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan, Ala. declared “an alert” at 6:20 a.m. EDT on Saturday due to the release of carbon dioxide within the plant. Alabama Power Company, the facility's owner, said the carbon dioxide release has been isolated. Carbon dioxide is an agent routinely used to mitigate fire hazards, however there was no indication of a fire on site.

“An alert is the second least serious of four nuclear plant emergency classifications assigned by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” the company said in a press release. “At this point there is no danger to the public. Appropriate federal, state and local officials have been notified.

“The facility's Units 1 and 2 continue to operate at 100 percent power. There is no release of radiation in progress associated with this event. All site personnel have been accounted for and there are no accidents or injuries reported."

Alabama Power said additional details will be announced as they become available. Members of the public should stay tuned to their radio and television for the latest information.

Plant Farley, a two-unit electric generating plant, is owned by Alabama Power Company and operated by Southern Nuclear Operating Company. Both are subsidiaries of Southern Company.

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