by Ilyssa Weiner
Scriba, NY- Exelon Generation, owner of the nation’s largest nuclear energy fleet, has officially taken ownership and management of all operations at the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant.
“We look forward to bringing FitzPatrick’s highly skilled team of professionals into
the Exelon Generation nuclear program, and to continue delivering to New York the environmental, economic and grid reliability benefits of this important energy asset,” President and CEO of Exelon Chris Crane said.
According to a press release, Entergy, the FitzPatrick Nuclear Plant’s former owner, has transferred the plant’s operating license to Exelon as well as its decommissioning trust fund and liability.
Joseph Pacher has also been named the new site vice president of the plant. Pacher was the former site vice president at R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant in Ontario.
“Joe knows the Exelon Management Model well and led Ginna during its transition into
the Exelon Generation fleet in 2014,” Exelon’s Chief Nuclear Officer Bryan Hanson said. “We are confident that his leadership will ensure a smooth transition for employees and the community, as FitzPatrick continues to deliver safe, clean and reliable electricity to the regional power grid.”
FitzPatrick’s former site vice president, Brian Sullivan, was retained by Entergy as part of the original transaction agreement.
Entergy and Exelon announced the $110 million transaction back in August 2016 after the Clean Energy Standard (CES) was adopted in New York State. The CES has saved the $3 billion nuclear plants contribute to the state’s economy annually as well as the 25,000 jobs in nuclear plants throughout the state. It has also spent millions of dollars in energy infrastructure investments. Without the CES, the FitzPatrick Nuclear Plant would close and other upstate nuclear plants would also be at risk of closure.
Exelon does not have an immediate changes to staffing at the FitzPatrick Nuclear Plant, which normally employs about 600 people.
The FitzPatrick Nuclear Plant generates carbon-free electricity for more than 800,000 homes and businesses. Exelon Generation operates two other nuclear energy facilities in upstate New York including Nine Mile Point, which is right next to FitzPatrick.