Exelon (NYSE: EXC) has canceled the “alert” status at Oyster Creek Generating Station in Lacey Township, N.J. The nuclear power plant entered alert status due to high water levels in its water intake structure, which occurred as Superstorm Sandy swept through New Jersey. Oyster Creek was shut down before the storm for a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage.

The alert was terminated and normal operations resumed less than 36 hours after the storm, according to Exelon. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Oct. 31 it was beginning to resume normal inspection levels at nuclear plants on the East Coast.

Sandy’s winds and heavy rains generated tides 6.8 feet above mean sea level at the plant’s water intake structure. However, water levels were never high enough to top the canal banks or impact the operation of plant equipment.

About the time the tidal surge crested, the station lost power from the grid and the station’s electricity supply was transferred to two backup diesel generators. Offsite power was restored on Oct. 31, and Exelon and JCP&L crews are working to determine the cause of the interruption.

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