Arkansas Nuclear One is located in London, Arkansas. Photo provided by Entergy Arkansas.
Arkansas Nuclear One (ANO), the state’s only operational nuclear power plant, celebrates 50 years of commercial operation this December, according to a statement from Entergy Arkansas.
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Entergy’s statement says that since Unit 1 began generating reliable electricity in 1974, ANO team members have delivered safe, clean and reliable energy to Arkansas, powering communities and businesses while making a positive environmental and economic impact in the Arkansas River Valley.
The remainder of the statement follows:
Located near Russellville, in London, Arkansas, ANO is home to two pressurized water reactors. Unit 1 began operations on Dec. 19, 1974, followed by Unit 2 on March 26, 1980. Together, these units provide low-cost energy to more than 730,000 Entergy Arkansas customers. ANO exemplifies Entergy’s mission of delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable power to the communities it serves with approximately 70% of the power delivered to Arkansas coming from nuclear power.
“Marking the 50th anniversary of ANO is a celebration of its enduring contribution to our state’s progress,” said Entergy Arkansas President and CEO Laura Landreaux. “As we look to the future, its role will be even more critical in powering innovation, attracting investments in our state and ensuring a sustainable energy future. Together, we’re not just meeting today’s energy needs, we’re building the foundation for tomorrow’s opportunities.”
With more than 1,800 MW of capacity, ANO alone can provide enough energy for nearly one million households, making it the backbone of an Entergy Arkansas generation fleet that is vast, varied and growing to meet the needs of customers.
“Celebrating our 50th anniversary is a proud moment for everyone here at ANO and our local community,” said Doug Pehrson, site vice president. “Even though we are recognizing this milestone, each year Entergy invests heavily into our facility to ensure we continue powering people’s lives with clean electricity.”
Economic and Community Contributions:
ANO’s contributions go far beyond electricity. The station employs more than 1,000 full-time workers and hundreds of additional contractors, making it one of the River Valley’s top employers. These employees, supported by an annual payroll of about $84 million, play an integral role in the region’s economy.
ANO also generates significant economic benefits during refueling and maintenance outages, bringing an influx of approximately 1,000 additional workers to the area and boosting local businesses such as hotels, restaurants and gas stations. With roughly $12 million annually spent on materials, services and fuel sourced from more than 175 Arkansas companies, the plant’s financial impact is extensive. In fact, ANO contributes over $190 million annually to Arkansas’s Gross State Product as well as generating over $15 million annually in state and local tax revenues.
Environmental Leadership:
As a nuclear facility, ANO provides clean power, helping reduce the carbon footprint in Arkansas. By preventing the release of greenhouse gases and air pollutants associated with fossil fuel generation, the plant plays a critical role in improving air quality and providing 76% of the clean energy produced in the state.
Commitment to the Community:
ANO employees are dedicated members of the community, donating their time, talents and financial resources to make a difference in the River Valley. Each year, grants totaling more than $100,000 are awarded to local nonprofits and ANO employees partner with Entergy to contribute more than $230,000 to the River Valley United Way. Volunteerism is also a cornerstone of ANO’s culture, with employees supporting programs such as Summer Food for Kids, the Angel Tree program and numerous educational initiatives with local students and schools.
About Entergy Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyArk on social media.
About Arkansas Nuclear One
Arkansas Nuclear One, located in Russellville, Arkansas, is owned and operated by Entergy Arkansas, a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. The site includes two pressurized water reactors with a combined capacity of more than 1,800 megawatts. For 50 years, ANO has been a leader in providing safe, emission-free energy and serving as a pillar of the Arkansas River Valley community. For the latest news from Entergy Nuclear visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyNuclear on social media.