Total U.S. nuclear plant availability dipped to 81.61%early May 4, down from 82.39% on May 3 and much lower than the 83.17% noted onthe same day in 2015. It also marked the lowest daily capacityfactor for the combined U.S. nuclear fleet yet this spring.

Pulling down total availability was the loss ofDTE Energy Co.'sFermi 2 plant inMichigan.

"Fermi 2 shut down Tuesday night to make repairsto components associated with our electrical distribution system in the plant,"Stephen Tait, a spokesman for DTE Energy, said in a May 4 email.

He noted that the shutdown was "scheduled,orderly and went as planned" and added that the reactor is in a safe andstable condition.

Once repairs and testing are completed, the plant willbe brought back online. However, Tait declined to provide a more specificschedule for the unit's return.

Prior to being shut, Fermi 2 was operating at 100%power early May 3.

Running counter to the outage, production atTalen Energy Corp'sSusquehanna 1 inPennsylvania increased to 37% early May 4, up from 8% on May 3.

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.