Total U.S. nuclear plant availability increased to81.43% early May 6, up from 81.19% on May 5 but still lower than the 84.77%recorded on the same day last year.

Boosting total output was the return of two reactors.Exelon Corp.'sNine Mile Point 2in New York was pegged at 25% early May 6 after being taken offline on April 11for planned seasonal work. South Texas Project 1 in Texas, which is jointly ownedby NRG Energy Inc.,CPS Energy andAustin Energy, wasseen at 13% early May 6. The unit was returning after it automaticallytripped due to agenerator lockout, according to a report filed with the U.S. Nuclear RegulatoryCommission.

In addition, two of NextEra Energy Inc.'s plants returned to fullproduction. The Duane ArnoldEnergy Center in Iowa was at 100% power early May 6, rising from89% on May 5. Point Beach2 in Wisconsin was operating at full output early May 6, climbing from 69% theprevious day.

Moreover, power at Talen Energy Corp's Susquehanna 1 in Pennsylvania increased to 80%early May 6, up from 68% on May 5, and DukeEnergy Corp.'s Brunswick1 in North Carolina saw output bounce back to 91% early May 6 after beingcurtailed to 36% the day prior.

Conversely, offsetting the upticks was a drop at threeother plants from full output early May 6. Exelon's 2 in Illinois was at87%, Tennessee Valley Authority'sSequoyah 2 inTennessee tumbled to 35% and power at EntergyCorp.'s Pilgrim1 in Massachusetts decreased to 50%.

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.