1/24/08

Drought could close nuclear power plants


Drought could close nuclear power plants - Weather- msnbc.com: "updated 2:54 p.m. ET, Wed., Jan. 23, 2008
LAKE NORMAN, N.C. - Nuclear reactors across the Southeast could be forced to throttle back or temporarily shut down later this year because drought is drying up the rivers and lakes that supply power plants with the awesome amounts of cooling water they need to operate."
PHOTO:A man fishes next to the water outflows of the McGuire Nuclear Station near Lake Norman, N.C., on Monday. Lake Norman has dropped to about a foot above the minimum level needed for a backup system at the plant.
Jason E. Miczek / AP