ATHENS — The Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant got its 20-year checkup and is good for another two decades.
The facility secured a 20-year extension on its operating license, marked by a signing ceremony this morning between the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The extension allows the plant to continue operating its three units for 20 more years.
“We can extend the life of this asset for another 20 years, and I firmly believe another 20 years beyond that,” said Matthew Rasmussen, TVA’s chief nuclear officer. “That means we continue to provide some of the lowest-cost electricity in the country … that’s really what it means.
“It means that grandma and grandpa’s power bill is going to continue to be one of the best in the country. It means that single mom that is trying to raise their kids is not going to have to make a decision to pay my power bill or my water.”
With a generating capacity of nearly 3.8 gigawatts, it is the third-most powerful nuclear power plant in the country and the most powerful generating station operated by TVA.
The NRC issued a safety evaluation in July and a final supplemental environmental impact statement in August.
“This is a strong example of how independent oversight and effective collaboration can
deliver results that support our energy future,” said Jeremy Groom, Acting Director of the NRC’s Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. “The NRC confirmed that Browns Ferry’s reactors can safely operate for up to 80 years, and TVA’s responsiveness helped us complete our rigorous review nearly three months ahead of schedule.”
The renewed operating licenses will expire in December 2053 for Unit 1, June 2054 for Unit
2, and July 2056 for Unit 3, the NRC said.
The TVA employs 1,500 people at the plant, making it the second-largest employer in Limestone County, after the Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing Plant.
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