Pump Problem Shuts Nuclear Reactor in NYC Suburbs

BUCHANAN, N.Y. January 10, 2012 (AP)

A nuclear reactor in New York City's suburbs has been shut down to repair a pump that was leaking slightly radioactive water.

Entergy Nuclear, owner of the Indian Point power plant in Buchanan, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission say the water was contained within the pump and there was no release of radioactivity.

Entergy says the pump helps cool the Indian Point 2 reactor and normally leaks about 2 gallons a minute. Spokesman Jerry Nappi says the leak had been increasing and on Monday night it reached a point at which operators decided to shut down for repair.

He says it's not known how long Indian Point 2 will be offline.

The other reactor at the plant, Indian Point 3, continued operating at full power.

Indian Point is a major energy producer for New York City and Westchester County.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/p...burbs-15330336