False signal automatically shuts down Indian Point reactor

One of Indian Point Energy Center”™s dual nuclear reactors automatically shut down just before noon Wednesday due to a sensor malfunction, the plant”™s owner said.

Entergy Corp., which owns the Buchanan facility, said a false signal indicated a change in Unit 3”™s reactor coolant system pressure. The cause of the false signal is under investigation, Entergy said.

Unit 2”™s operation was unaffected and Entergy said no radioactivity was released nor was there any danger associated with the shutdown. Unit 1 is no longer in use.