Palisades leak fixed, service resumes

COVERT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - The Palisades nuclear power plant in southwestern Michigan has returned to service after a monthlong shutdown to fix a leaky water tank.

Spokesman Mark Savage said Wednesday the plant will increase to full power operation in the next several days.

The aluminum tank holds up to 300,000 gallons of water containing boron, which helps cool the reactor when the plant's nuclear fuel is replaced. It also can be used to cool the core during an emergency.

Some daily leakage from the tank is permissible. But the plant in Van Buren County's Covert Township was shut down June 12 when the amount of leaking water exceeded the limit.

After initial repairs, workers began refilling the tank but stopped when it began leaking again. Savage says more repairs have been made.