BLAIR, Neb. (AP) — Officials say the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant has been shut down for refueling and maintenance.
The Omaha Public Power District plant was taken offline on Saturday morning. District officials say a third of the fuel assemblies will be replaced. Workers also will perform preventive maintenance, replace equipment and conduct numerous tests on equipment and instrumentation. The plant is expected to be back on regular operation in 45 days.
District officials say a nuclear plant such as Fort Calhoun Station shuts down about every 18 months to refuel. Fort Calhoun, which sits about 20 miles north of Omaha, can provide 478 megawatts of power.
The district has more than 360,000 customers in 13 counties in southeast Nebraska.
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