Letter: Nuclear Power Plant Transformer Fire

To Members of Our Community,

As you may know, on May 9 Indian Point’s Unit 3 nuclear power plant safely and automatically shut down following a failure of one of its two main electrical transformers. The automatic shutdown of the plant is by design and expected following a failure of a transformer. The transformer is located outdoors, external to any buildings that contain radioactive materials, and did not pose a threat to the nuclear areas of the plant. A fire at the transformer was quickly extinguished by the plant’s automated sprinklers and trained, onsite fire-fighting personnel.

While a new transformer at Unit 3 has been connected and the plant is now restarted – generating electricity for about 1 million homes in our area – we’d like to provide you with more information about the issue.

• During operation, this transformer contained approximately 24,000 gallons of dielectric fluid, a clear mineral oil, which acts as an electrical insulator and coolant inside transformers. The fluid is PCB-free.
• At Indian Point, transformers are surrounded by a moat system designed to catch dielectric fluid, water and firefighting foam following a transformer failure. Dielectric fluid, together with the water and fire retardant foam used to extinguish this fire, exceeded the capacity of the moat system.
• Entergy’s environmental teams acted quickly to place protective oil booms in the plant’s discharge canal and in the Hudson River to contain and limit fluid that may have been released from the failed transformer. Teams were also dispatched to begin monitoring for any fluid that may have reached the River.
• Preliminary estimates indicate about 3,000 gallons of this dielectric fluid may have reached the River. Entergy vigorously continues to seek to recover as much of the remaining fluid from onsite as possible.

We are taking strong steps to understand the cause of this transformer failure in order to help prevent a recurrence. This includes a thorough review of the best industry guidance on transformer inspections and maintenance, as well as utilizing the services of leading experts to investigate the cause of this recent transformer failure.

We take our responsibility to the environment and to the Hudson River very seriously, and will continue to work closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to minimize the impact of the remaining fluid. We are also continuing to work closely with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as we do for all matters related to the safe operation of Indian Point.

We have also established our own hotline for members of the public to report potential oil sheen sightings in the Hudson River related to this incident. Members of the public can report sightings to 1-800-472-6372 orenvironment@safesecurevital.com. Entergy will investigate reported sightings with trained environmental response personnel.

I’d like to recognize our personnel as well as members of the local fire departments who responded to the situation. We’re enormously proud of the people here at Indian Point and their dedication to safe operations. They are well-trained, dedicated and recognized as some of the best in the industry.

Our approximately 1,000 employees live here and share a commitment with you to the region’s environment and community. This team of professionals safely and reliably generates about 25% of the electricity used in the area, and looks forward to doing so for many years to come.

Sincerely Yours,

Larry Coyle
Site Vice President, Indian Point Energy Center