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Plymouth nuke plant adjusts power output in heat wave

PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) - The Pilgrim nuclear power plant is back at full power after temporary reductions earlier in the week to adjust for the elevated temperature of sea water used to cool its reactor.

Jim Sinclair, a spokeswoman for Pilgrim, said it reduced its normal output by about 15 percent for a few hours on Wednesday, and briefly reduced it by about 5 percent Thursday when Cape Cod bay water was measured above the 75 degrees allowed by Pilgrim's federal license. He said engineers monitor the ocean temperature closely.

State Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard Sullivan said Friday officials have also been monitoring the situation during this week's heat wave, but it didn't appear to be a major concern so far.

Pilgrim produces about 15 percent of the state's electricity.

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