Dominion Energy has shut down its only operating Midlands nuclear reactor due to a leak.

Dominion Energy spokesman Ken Holt told WLTXTV that the leak is small, did not escape the site’s containment area and is not a danger to the public or the environment.

Nuclear watchdog Tom Clements of Friends of the Earth said he’s concerned that Dominion didn’t alert the public.

A Facebook post mentioned the leak.

Clements cited a Nuclear Regulatory Commission report that the plant was not producing power Friday.

“With nuclear plants, it is essential that there be full openness about safety related issues,’’ he said.

Holt said Dominion notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but was not required to make any other public notice.

He said the plant was shut down last Wednesday, Nov. 6, and was offline by early Thursday. The leak was found several weeks ago, he said.

The nuclear plant in Jenkinsville about 30 minutes from Lexington County began operating in 1982.

SCANA Corp., now owned by Dominion Energy of Virginia, abandoned its 2-reactor, $9 billion nuclear construction project 2 years ago.

The state Public Service Commission had allowed SCANA to charge its power customers $2 billion of that cost.

Holt said Dominion will not estimate when service will be returned because it’s considered market sensitive.