Operators at Exelon Generation’s LaSalle Generating Station removed the Unit 1 generator from service early this morning to begin a planned refueling outage. Work completed during the nuclear plant’s outage will help deliver reliable, carbon-free electricity to Illinois customers during the next two-year operating cycle.
To support the work, the station will use the talents and expertise of more than 1,000 additional workers, many of whom travel to LaSalle County from outside the area. For several months preceding and following the outage, the influx of workers provides a significant boost to the local economy.
“When the extra workers come to LaSalle Station for the refueling outage, it means additional business for our community,” said Jeff Hettrick, executive director of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce. “Ottawa and LaSalle County appreciate the additional workers who take advantage of all the services we have to offer, whether it’s our restaurants, hotels or shopping.”
During the outage, technicians will complete testing, maintenance and modifications that can only be done when the station is not generating electricity. LaSalle Unit 2 will continue to operate at 100 percent power while Unit 1 is offline.
“It is our goal here at LaSalle Station to continue operating at world-class levels of safety and reliability,” said John Washko, LaSalle Generating Station site vice president. “The work completed during our refueling outages helps us meet that goal and enables us to power a cleaner and brighter future for the communities we serve.”
LaSalle Generating Station is a nuclear power facility located about 75 miles southwest of Chicago near Marseilles, Ill. At full power, the facility’s two reactors produce more than 2,200 megawatts of carbon free electricity, enough to power 2.3 million typical homes.
