RUSSELLVILLE -- Arkansas Nuclear One, the state's only operational nuclear power plant, celebrates 50 years of commercial operation this month.
"Since Unit 1 began generating reliable electricity in 1974, ANO team members have delivered safe, clean and reliable energy to Arkansas, powering communities and businesses while making a positive environmental and economic impact in the Arkansas River Valley," Entergy Arkansas said in a news release.
Located near Russellville, ANO is home to two pressurized water reactors. Unit 1 began operations on Dec. 19, 1974, followed by Unit 2 on March 26, 1980.
"Together, these units provide low-cost energy to more than 730,000 Entergy Arkansas customers. ANO exemplifies Entergy's mission of delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable power to the communities it serves with approximately 70% of the power delivered to Arkansas coming from nuclear power," the release said.
"Marking the 50th anniversary of ANO is a celebration of its enduring contribution to our state's progress," Entergy Arkansas President and CEO Laura Landreaux said in the release. "As we look to the future, its role will be even more critical in powering innovation, attracting investments in our state and ensuring a sustainable energy future. Together, we're not just meeting today's energy needs, we're building the foundation for tomorrow's opportunities."
With more than 1,800 MW of capacity, ANO alone can provide enough energy for nearly 1 million households, "making it the backbone of an Entergy Arkansas generation fleet that is vast, varied and growing to meet the needs of customers."
"Celebrating our 50th anniversary is a proud moment for everyone here at ANO and our local community," Doug Pehrson, site vice president, said in the release. "Even though we are recognizing this milestone, each year Entergy invests heavily into our facility to ensure we continue powering people's lives with clean electricity."
"ANO's contributions go far beyond electricity. The station employs more than 1,000 full-time workers and hundreds of additional contractors, making it one of the River Valley's top employers. These employees, supported by an annual payroll of about $84 million, play an integral role in the region's economy," the release said.
ANO also generates "significant economic benefits during refueling and maintenance outages," bringing an influx of approximately 1,000 additional workers to the area and boosting local businesses such as hotels, restaurants and gas stations.
"With roughly $12 million annually spent on materials, services and fuel sourced from more than 175 Arkansas companies, the plant's financial impact is extensive. In fact, ANO contributes over $190 million annually to Arkansas's Gross State Product as well as generating over $15 million annually in state and local tax revenues," it said.
"As a nuclear facility, ANO provides clean power, helping reduce the carbon footprint in Arkansas. By preventing the release of greenhouse gases and air pollutants associated with fossil fuel generation, the plant plays a critical role in improving air quality and providing 76% of the clean energy produced in the state," the release said.
ANO employees are "dedicated members of the community, donating their time, talents and financial resources to make a difference in the River Valley. Each year, grants totaling more than $100,000 are awarded to local nonprofits and ANO employees partner with Entergy to contribute more than $230,000 to the River Valley United Way. Volunteerism is also a cornerstone of ANO's culture, with employees supporting programs such as Summer Food for Kids, the Angel Tree program and numerous educational initiatives with local students and schools," the release said.