PEACH BOTTOM ATOMIC POWER STATION
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, located on the west bank of the Conowingo Pond (Susquehanna River) in York County, PA, is a 3-unit nuclear generating facility. Unit 1 was a 40-megawatt experimental High Temperature Helium-Cooled and Graphite-moderated reactor. During its seven-year life (1967-74), Unit 1 provided valuable technical and cost data to U.S. utilities for application to larger plants.
Units 2 and 3 are boiling water reactors capable of generating 1,093 megawatts each. Both units began commercial operation in 1974. Peach Bottom is co-owned by Exelon Generation and Public Service Electric and Gas of New Jersey. Exelon Nuclear operates Peach Bottom. Joe Grimes is the Site Vice President.
Emergency Planning
Peach Bottom employs a sophisticated emergency response plan to protect public health and safety. Both the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania approved the plan. Emergency Planning includes coordination with local and state municipalities.
Supporting the Local Economy
Peach Bottom has about 600 employees, not including contractors. The majority of Peach Bottom's employees live in Lancaster and York Counties in Pennsylvania. The station's annual payroll is about $50 million. Additionally, during refuel outages, Peach Bottom employs several hundred temporary contractors, who boost the local economy during their stay.
Exelon pays local real estate taxes totaling about $1.3 million every year to support county and township government, area schools, libraries, park districts and other taxing bodies.
Community Involvement
Peach Bottom’s goal is to be a good neighbor and is very active in the local community. The station supports several community events including the Delta-Cardiff Heritage Festival. The station also makes charitable donations to the United Way, Dollars for Scholars, American Red Cross, Christmas Adopt-A-Family Program, Mason-Dixon Community Services, Delta Senior Center, and the Delta-Cardiff and Airville Fire Companies.
Peach Bottom employees give generously to the community through a variety of charitable activities. Employees donate about $50,000 annually to local United Way chapters. The station also sponsors blood drives throughout the year, helping area blood banks supply the needs of area hospitals. The station’s Employee Association also sponsors fund-raising activities to support various community groups and agencies. In addition, the station is a member of the Mason Dixon Business Association and the York Chamber of Commerce.