FULTON — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has started a special inspection at a Callaway County nuclear plant after a backup steam pump failed to automatically start.
During a routine test last month, an auxiliary feedwater pump did not start. The pump is part of the plant's safety features and would supply water to the steam generators and remove heat from the reactor if electric power was lost.
The special inspection is expected to last several days.
Mike Cleary, AmerenUE spokesman, said Tuesday the reason the pump didn't start hasn't been identified. The inspection could help nuclear plants with the same parts avoid similar problems, he said. The pump could have been started manually if needed, Cleary said.
The nuclear plant is about 25 miles northeast of Jefferson City.