PG&E Shuts Diablo Reactor as Jellyfish Threaten Pumps

By Aaron Clark

Oct. 22 (Bloomberg) -- PG&E Corp., owner of California's largest utility, shut the Diablo Canyon 2 reactor and is operating Diablo Canyon 1 at 50 percent of capacity because an influx of jellyfish reduced water flow to pumps.

Unit 2 was closed down after ``a rapid influx of jellyfish'' clogged water intake screens, according to a report from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The reactor is at normal operating temperature and pressure, according to the report.

Unit 1 was reduced to 50 percent of capacity as a precautionary measure because of the potential loss of water flow due to the jellyfish, Sharon Gavin, a spokeswoman for the California utility, said in a telephone interview.

The reactors, which have a combined output of 2,300 megawatts, were working at full capacity yesterday, according to the NRC. The plant is located about 200 miles (322 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles and provides enough power for 1.84 million homes in the region, based on Energy Department figures.

To contact the reporter on this story: Aaron Clark in New York at aclark27@bloomberg.net