BRIDGMAN, Mich., August 23, 2011 – An earthquake at 1:51 p.m. near Richmond, Virginia resulted in a procedural activation of the Emergency Plan for Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant. There were no indications registered on the plant’s seismic monitors or abnormal indications identified in the control room of either of the Cook units, but individuals in an office building reported feeling the tremors. The site declared an Unusual Event, the lowest of the four emergency classifications at 2:24 p.m. and made the appropriate regulatory notifications.

Cook’s emergency procedures are conservatively designed so that initial notifications take place at the earliest possible time. These precautionary measures allow for personnel to prepare for activation of facilities if it becomes necessary to take any actions to protect the health and safety of the public.

Cook has existing procedures to follow in the event of seismic activity that include inspections and walk downs of plant systems and equipment to check for damage. Once the procedural actions are complete the activation will be ended. No damage to the plant has been identified at this point.

Both Cook units were operating at 100 percent power at the time of the event and remain at full power with no plans to reduce power.