Recently, PPL Corp.’s (PPL) Susquehanna nuclear power plant received a 20-year extension of the operating licenses for both reactors at the plant. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved extension of the license for Unit 1 to 2042 and for Unit 2 to 2044.

NRC’s decision to extend the licenses is based on thorough safety and environmental reviews of PPL’s application submitted in September 2006. NRC’s review process included a series of public meetings, onsite inspections, written requests for extra information from the staff, and an additional review by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, which is an independent body of nuclear technical experts that advises the NRC commissioners.

After three years of intensive review, the NRC concluded that no safety or environmental concerns would prevent license renewal and that PPL had effectively demonstrated the ability to manage the effects of aging on plant equipment and systems.

Renewal of the licenses also means PPL Susquehanna will continue to generate well-paying jobs and a high level of community involvement and support.

PPL Corp. is working towards increasing electricity generation at the Susquehanna plant through its four-year project, which began in 2008 and will extend till 2011. The project focuses on improved and cost-effective generation of electricity from existing sources that emit no greenhouse gases. The bi-unit plant produces enough electricity to power about 2 million homes.

The Susquehanna plant, located in Luzerne County about seven miles north of Berwick, is owned jointly by PPL Susquehanna LLC and Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc. and is operated by PPL Susquehanna.

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