BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A special inspection team from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is investigating an incident on Sunday at the Brunswick Nuclear Power Plant near Southport.

There was a discharge of halon gas, which is a fire suppressant, into the basement of the emergency diesel generator building Sunday even though there wasn't a fire.  Plant operators declared an "alert", which is the next to lowest emergency classification under NRC rules.  However, the Emergency Response Organization and the start of the Emergency Response Data System were both "significantly delayed" according to a NRC news release.

No one was injured and the alert was lifted after four and a half hours.

The special inspection team of two people will review the event with plant operators to figure out why there was a delay.  The investigation should wrap up this week.

A formal report will be issued within 45 days.

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