Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, Decommissioned nuclear power plant in Forked River, New Jersey, United States
Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station is a decommissioned facility spread across roughly 800 acres beside a waterway in New Jersey. The complex featured a single boiling water reactor designed to generate 636 megawatts of electricity for the region.
The facility received its operating permit in 1969, making it the first commercial nuclear station in the United States to reach this milestone. Operations ceased in 2018, ending nearly five decades of power generation for the region.
The site takes its name from the nearby creek and represents a shift in how communities view energy production and environmental responsibility. Local residents and visitors now see the landscape as reflecting changing attitudes toward nuclear technology over the decades.
The property sits in a transitional zone between waterway and dry land, so visitors should prepare for damp conditions and marshland. Access is available, but it's wise to check current visiting arrangements beforehand since the site undergoes ongoing remediation work.
During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the site experienced severe storm surge flooding yet its structures remained undamaged despite the extreme conditions. This resilience became a notable point of interest for engineers and climate researchers studying the site.
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