Leak forces Michigan nuclear plant shutdown
(CNN) -- A water leak at the Fermi II nuclear power plant outside Monroe, Michigan, forced a shutdown of the facility Monday, but no radioactivity was reported to have escaped and no evacuations have been ordered, authorities said.
Lorie Kessler, a spokeswoman for Detroit Edison, which operates the plant, said the plant shutdown around 4:20 p.m. after water began leaking into the containment vessel at a rate of about 50 gallons per minute.
"There's no indication of a radioactive release," she said.
She said inspectors have yet to enter the area where the leak is occurring, but they expect to have a team in there Tuesday to inspect the leak and conduct the necessary repairs if possible.
The plant, located about 40 miles south of Detroit, employs about 900 people and won a top safety award from state officials in July.
In Detroit, a statement from Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano said the incident "is closely being monitored."
"The plant is stable and represents no threat to the public or surrounding area at this time," Ficano said.
