AC Problem At Harris Nuclear Plant

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will check the Harris nuclear plant near Raleigh to ensure Duke Energy has fixed an unreported problem.

Progress Energy ran the plant before this year's merger with Duke Energy. An air conditioning system at an emergency operations facility was not in top working order starting in 2009. The utility fixed the problem two years later. Duke Energy spokeswoman Julie Milstead says the utility thought the issue was over. She says, "We did not report that to the NRC because we did not think it met the criteria for reportability."

The N-R-C says it wants to know about any plant safety issue. Agency spokesman Roger Hannah says inspectors are assigned to the site but an additional team will be brought in.

According to Hannah, "It's not a current safety issue but we want to make sure they've dealt with it going forward."

The NRC has not scheduled the inspection. Duke Energy will not have to pay a fine.