A federal agency began a special inspection of Wolf Creek's nuclear power plant Monday as the result of recent problems with an emergency diesel generator.

The inspection is not about safety issues at the plant, said Victor Dricks, a spokesman for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Diesel generators are the main backup power source to the plant's safety systems, if there is a loss of off-site power, and are tested periodically. One of Wolf Creek's diesel generators didn't test correctly on Sept. 1, Dricks said.

The generator fluctuated in power input, causing operators to shut it down, according to the NRC.

Inspectors want to determine what caused the malfunction and what corrective action has been taken by Wolf Creek.

The inspection will take several days. A report will be public within 45 days after the inspection is completed.

Wolf Creek's plant is in northeast Kansas, about three miles north of Burlington.

In March, Wolf Creek's nuclear reactor was one of three in the country that had been targeted for increased oversight by the NRC. Wolf Creek triggered the attention because of three unplanned plant shutdowns in 2010.

After Wolf Creek took corrective action and passed a supplemental inspection, the facility was placed back in good standing with the agency in May.