Ill. Nuclear Reactor Loses Power, Venting Steam

Exelon Nuclear says a reactor at its Byron Generating Station has shut down after losing power, and steam is being vented to reduce pressure.

Plant operators declared an unusual event at 10:18 a.m. Monday when Unit 2 shut down after losing power from an off-site source.

They say the facility's generators are providing power to equipment, and the unit remains in safe condition.

Officials say Byron Station is designed to vent steam in the event of a power loss. They say the steam contains low levels of tritium, a radioactive isotope, but not at unsafe levels.

Officials say engineers are investigating why the unit lost offsite power. Unit 1 continues to operate normally.

Byron Generating Station is in Ogle County, about 95 miles northwest of Chicago.