Washington nuclear plant sets operating record

RICHLAND — The state’s only nuclear power plant has set an operating record.

The Columbia Generating Station on Thursday has operated without an unplanned shutdown for 506 consecutive days, beating the previous record of 505 days set in April 2011.

The run began after the plant was restarted following Columbia’s last refueling and maintenance outage, which ended June 25, 2013. Columbia’s next refueling outage is scheduled to begin next May 9.

The plant is located on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation near Richland.

Power from Columbia Generating Station is sold to the Bonneville Power Administration.

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