Turbine likely behind fire at Michigan nuclear plant
MICHIGAN - Officials at American Electric Power Co. say they know the cause of a fire that led to a shutdown of one of two reactors at the Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant in southwestern Michigan.
The utility says the fire in Unit 1 of the plant in Berrien County's Lake Township began when turbine vibrations caused a generator to leak hydrogen that ignited.
The Columbus, Ohio-based utility says fire damage is minimal but the vibrations more seriously damaged turbines, bearing supports and some steam piping.
An imbalance from the loss of turbine rotor blades probably caused the vibrations.
It will take one to three weeks to complete turbine inspections, then officials will have a better idea of when they can restart the reactor.
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In the already impoverished Gaza Strip, residents have learned to adapt to the fact that electricity is only available for between two and four hours a day.
But fresh anger was sparked when availability was cut further last month, at the request of the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, in an escalation of his conflict with Hamas, the Islamist group.
The shortages have defined how people live their lives: getting up in the middle of…
