About
The Braidwood Station is located in Will County in northeastern Illinois. It serves Chicago and northern Illinois. Braidwood's recent up rates make it the largest nuclear plant in the State. The three largest Illinois' plants, however, are nearly equal (LaSalle is only 2 net megawatts smaller than Braidwood and Byron is only 4 net megawatts less in capacity than LaSalle). According to the Exelon Corporation's web site, the plant has a workforce of 800 employees and contractors with an annual payroll of over $60 million. In April 2006, it was announced that tritium was discovered in groundwater at the site. In a company press release, it was stated that "Exelon has taken full responsibility for the releases into the ground and has held itself publicly accountable for cleaning up the groundwater, much of which remains on plant property." [1]
Braidwood Generating Station, Exelon's newest nuclear power station, is located in northeastern Illinois, about 60 miles southwest of Chicago in Will County. The station is built on a 4,457-acre site, and its cooling lake was formed from scarred farming land and an old strip mine. Its Units 1 and 2 began commercial operation in July and October of 1988, respectively. The initial construction cost for the station was $5.2 billion.
Both of Braidwood's units are pressurized water reactors designed by Westinghouse. Unit 1 is capable of generating 1,194 net megawatts of electricity, while Unit 2 is capable of generating 1,166 net megawatts. Together they can produce enough power to support the electricity needs of more than two million average American homes. [2]
Contact Information
Braidwood Nuclear Power Plant
RR1, Box 84
Braceville, Illinois (IL) 60407
USA
