Conn. nuclear plant unit reopens with cooler water

(AP) Connecticut's nuclear power plant has returned to full service nearly two weeks after one of its two units was forced to shut down because seawater used to cool it down was too warm.

Millstone Power Station spokesman Ken Holt said Monday that Unit 2 returned to 100 percent power Saturday. It shuttered Aug. 12 after record heat contributed to overheated water from Long Island Sound.

Water is used to cool key components of the plant and is discharged back into the sound. The water's temperature was 1.7 degrees above the 75-degree limit.

Holt says the temperature is now 72 degrees.

Some scientists believe the partial Millstone shutdown was the first on an open body of water.

Millstone provides half of all power in Connecticut and 12 percent in New England.