RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — The only nuclear power plant in Washington is shutting down next month for its longest outage ever — about 80 days.
In addition to a refueling the Columbia Generating Station, which usually takes a little more than a month every other year, workers will be replacing the condenser, which turns steam back into water for reuse.
The Tri-City Herald reports Energy Northwest is hiring about 1,800 temporary workers for the $152 million project. The upgrade and other work will add about 12 megawatts to the 1,150-megawatt plant.
When it shuts down on April 6 the plant will have been running a record 486 consecutive days.
