Federal regulators will soon hear why a key valve apparently failed at a nuclear plant in Alabama.

Tennessee Valley Authority officials will get an opportunity Monday in Atlanta to speak about why a valve on a coolant system appears to have gotten stuck in the shut position at its Unit 1 reactor at the Browns Ferry Plant near Athens, Ala.

NRC officials said in a report that the failure of that valve could have left a residual heat removal system unable to do its job, particularly if there was a fire.

TVA officials say the mechanical problem was discovered, repaired and reported while the reactor was shut down for refueling. They say it was never a safety threat. The reactor has other cooling systems.

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC