DTE Energy reported a diesel leak on the grounds of its Fermi nuclear plant on Lake Erie Tuesday, but the spill did not reach the environment or interrupt reactor operations.
Shortly before noon, workers found that 2,500 gallons of diesel fuel oil had leaked into a secondary containment collection basin, according to a report filed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The plant notified Michigan's environmental agency and took steps to begin cleaning up the leak the same day. DTE reported that the fuel did not reach the soil or navigable waters nearby.
Quoting the plant's resident NRC inspector, the Monroe News reported that the leak originated from a gas turbine electrical generator on site. Two generators had been called into service by grid operators contending with downed power lines. The cause of the leak is under investigation.