An earthquake in northern Alabama did not pose a risk to the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, the Tennessee Valley Authority’s largest power plant, the agency said.
The 2.5 magnitude earthquake struck near Trinity, Alabama, around 4 miles east of the nuclear plant, at 11:55 p.m. Sunday, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake was minor but shallow, at almost 4 1/2 miles deep, meaning it could likely be felt in the immediate area.
“There was no impact to the safe and reliable operation of our Browns Ferry nuclear power plant from the reported seismic event. Safety remains our highest priority,” TVA spokesperson Scott Fiedler said in an email. “At no time was there any risk to the public, TVA personnel or the continued reliable generation of power to the Tennessee Valley.”
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The earthquake was not the largest to strike near a TVA nuclear plant. Two earthquakes struck within 10 miles of the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant in Spring City, Tennessee, in December 2018. They were the strongest earthquakes in the state in 45 years. The second of the earthquakes was a 4.4 magnitude but did not require a plant shutdown.