James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant, nuclear power plant in Oswego County, New York
The James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant near Lake Ontario in New York that operates using boiling water reactor technology. The facility spans approximately 900 acres and uses water from the lake to cool the reactor core before returning it to the lake.
The plant began operations in the mid-1970s and was named after James A. FitzPatrick, a key figure in the power company's development. Since its founding by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, the facility has experienced several changes in ownership and management, including recent operation by Exelon.
Visitors typically cannot access the secure areas of the facility, but the outdoor grounds provide a good sense of its size and function. It is recommended to contact the plant ahead of time, as tours are limited to certain groups and require permission.
The facility faced major economic challenges, particularly after 2015, when rising operating costs and cheap natural gas threatened its operation. Its survival depended on decisions to support nuclear power as an important source of clean energy without carbon emissions.
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