E. Wash. nuclear power plant shuts down

RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) – A nuclear power plant in southeastern Washington state closed unexpectedly.

The Tri-City Herald reports that the Columbia Generating Station’s systems detected a problem Friday morning having to do with electrical distribution and automatically shut the plant down.

Authorities said there is no risk to the public.

The 1,207-megawatt plant is the only nuclear power plant in the Pacific Northwest and produces enough electricity to power a city the size of Seattle.

The plant last had a unexpected shutdown in August.