Va. nuclear plant back at full power after quake

[November 29, 2011]  RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- The first operating U.S. nuclear plant to shut down because of an earthquake is back up to full power.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission website says both reactors at Dominion Virginia Power's North Anna Power Station were at 100 percent as of Monday morning. The units automatically shut down after the 5.8-magnitude Aug. 23 quake caused peak ground movement about twice the level for which the plant was designed.

Multiple inspections showed the plant about 11 miles from the earthquake's epicenter didn't suffer any functional damage.

Federal regulators gave the go-ahead to restart the reactors on Nov. 11.

Dominion had said that delays were possible as both reactors were being restarted in phases so that safety testing could be completed.

The company is a subsidiary of Dominion Resources Inc.

[Associated Press; By MICHAEL FELBERBAUM]

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