OREANDA-NEWS. Operators returned LaSalle County Generating Station Unit 1 to full power today, marking the end of the unit’s scheduled refueling outage that began February 15.

During the outage, workers performed more than 12,600 detailed inspections, maintenance activities and equipment upgrades. By replacing and updating equipment on an ongoing basis, it ensures the plant uses the most up-to-date technology. In addition, about one-third of the nuclear fuel was replaced during the outage.

“The work performed during this outage will help us provide the region with around-the-clock electricity for the 24-month operating cycle,” said LaSalle Station Site Vice President Bill Trafton. “This will help keep homes cool during the summer heat and warm during the frigid Illinois winter.”

Around 2,000 temporary skilled workers from local union halls and approximately 300 technical experts from other Exelon Generation facilities supported LaSalle Station’s 800 employees during the refueling outage. These additional workers create a significant economic boost for area hotels, restaurants and other retail businesses. 

LaSalle Generating Station is located about 75 miles southwest of Chicago near Marseilles, Ill. At full power the facility’s two generating units produce more than 2,300 megawatts of carbon-free electricity, enough to power more than 2 million typical American homes. Approximately 90% of the carbon-free power in Illinois is produced by Exelon’s six nuclear facilities in the state. For more on the Nuclear Powers of Illinois campaign and how you can get involved, visit www.nuclearpowersillinois.com