Total U.S. nuclear plant availability moved higherearly March 30 to 85.03%, up from 84.82% on March 29 but still slightly belowthe 85.06% posted on the same day in 2015.

Attempting to pull down total availability was theunexpected loss of Entergy Corp.'sGrand Gulf 1 in Mississippi. The reactor scrammed shut on March 29 due to aturbine trip, according to a filing with the U.S. Nuclear RegulatoryCommission. The reactor was operating at 35% at the time of the outage.

In addition, Entergy's Pilgrim 1 in Massachusetts sawoutput curtailed to 47% early March 30, down from full power on March 29.Xcel Energy Inc.'sPrairie Island 1 in Minnesota also saw production decrease to 39% early March30, also falling from 100% power the day prior.

On the flipside, increased generation at three otherreactors across the country helped offset the downtick. 's Oconee 1 in SouthCarolina bounced back to full output early March 30, up from 19% on March 29.Tennessee Valley Authority'sBrowns Ferry 3 in Alabama was pegged at 60% early March 30, climbing from 42%on March 29. Southern Co.'sVogtle 2 in Georgia was operating at 80% early March 30, up from 42% theprevious day.

Power production levels and impending outage dates arecurrent at the time of publication and are subject to change. For details ofU.S. nuclear power plant operations, visit our NuclearStatus and Outage Report.