Dresden Clean Energy Center
Morris, Ill.
- Number of operating units: 2
- Site net generation: 1,800 net MW
- Customers served: About 2 million homes
- Location: Approximately 60 miles southwest of Chicago
- Number of Employees: 825
- Annual Payroll: $74 million
Dresden Clean Energy Center, located in rural Grundy County in northern Illinois, is home to the nation’s first full-scale, privately financed nuclear power plant, which began operation in 1960.
Two of the three units at Dresden are currently in operation and can produce enough electricity to power approximately 2 million average American homes. Dresden Units 2 and 3 began commercial operation in July 1970 and November 1971, respectively. In October 2004, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission renewed the operating licenses for both units for an additional 20 years, extending them to 2030 and 2031. Both units comprise General Electric boiling water reactors.
In 1978, Dresden Unit 1 was retired and is now designated a Nuclear Historic Landmark by the American Nuclear Society.
Dresden aims to be a good neighbor and is active in its surrounding communities.
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Sponsorship: Dresden sponsors many community events, including the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce Family Fest, a day of family fun combined with a small business expo to unite area families with options around them.
- Education: Dresden awarded $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors at Morris and Minooka High Schools.
- Community Development: Dresden supports the Goose Lake Prairie Partners environmental and educational efforts monetarily and physically as our neighbors.
- Health and Human Services: Dresden financially supports the Coal City backpack program, a not for profit that sends food home in the backpacks of qualifying children who might otherwise not have food until returning to school. Employee fundraisers for this organization include a bowling for blessings in a backpack event.
- Employee Giving & Volunteerism: Dresden employees give generously to the community through a variety of volunteer activities, including the local United Way campaign. The center also sponsors blood drives during the year, helping local hospitals.
Dresden Clean Energy Center, like all U.S. nuclear energy facilities, is based on a “defense-in-depth” design, which means there are redundant layers of safety. There are multiple layers of safety systems to provide water to the reactor core. These safety systems, and their backup safety systems, are powered by multiple and redundant power sources. Nuclear energy plants are built with multiple physical barriers, including thick, steel-reinforced concrete walls around the reactor to contain radioactive materials.
Our employees are personally committed to safety. They are highly-skilled workers and continually receive training to make our safe work practices even safer. We have a culture of continuous learning and implement lessons learned from operating experience to continue to operate safe nuclear energy facilities. Each employee has 100 percent accountability. We welcome strict, daily oversight by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). We work with the NRC to ensure that all regulations are complied with - and exceeded.