Alert declared at Diablo Canyon Power Plant

The alert at Diablo Canyon Power Plant was canceled Friday evening at arounf 6:45 p.m.

—————————

Pacific Gas & Electric declared an alert at Diablo Canyon Power Plant Friday afternoon due to a recording of decreased oxygen level in Unit 2 containment.

The alert was issued just after noon.

According to PG&E, the oxygen level was just slightly below normal and there was no risk to workers or the public.

An alert is the second lowest of four federal classifications established by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for emergencies at commercial nuclear power plants.

The alert was declared because personnel who may need to access that area of the plant could potentially need to use additional breathing apparatus to enter containment during an emergency to operate equipment.

Once oxygen levels are restored to above 19 percent — from the recorded level of 18.5 percent — and county key stakeholders agree, the Alert declaration will be lifted.

The decreased oxygen levels could be due to a variety of issues.

Representatives said the plant was in a safe condition and operating at full power. They say there is currently no radiological release and no radiological release is anticipated.

Any inquiries by the public can be directed to the company’s toll-free service line at 1-800-PGE-5000, or by accessing PG&E’s Diablo Canyon page .