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East Coast Earthquake

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Lake Anna Nuclear Plants Closed, But No Damage

An earthquake caused the closing of the Lake Anna nuclear plants in Louisa, which is where the epicenter was.

Dominion Virginia Power has closed the nuclear power plants in Louisa where the earthquake's epicenter was reported earlier this afternoon. The plant has two nuclear reactors. According to an alert from Dominion, the plant was closed for an "unusual event." Karl Neddenien, spokesman for Dominion Virginia Power, said the two plants were closed only as a precaution. "No damage has been reported," he said. "The back-up diesel generators that provide electricity started operating and everything is in good shape." A 5.9 magnitude earthquake shook the Fredericksburg area this afternoon. Louisa is about 34 miles south of Fredericksburg. The Associated Press reports that the plant is now running off of four generators.

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