PPL Susquehanna - Berwick PA

PPL : Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant>Berwick, PA

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The technology is complex, but the basic premise is simple: make steam to turn a turbine that spins a generator to make electricity. The Susquehanna plant uses the energy released by splitting atoms to make steam. Click here to see an animated view of how it works.

The Susquehanna plant uses the energy of nuclear fission to make steam. The heat produced when uranium atoms are split causes water in the reactor to boil.

Steam produced in the reactor passes through turbines. Each turbine has rings of fan-like metal blades. As steam passes over the blades, the turbines turn very fast.

The turbines are connected to a generator, where an electromagnet spins inside a ring of copper wire to produce electricity.

When the steam has done its work, it is cooled, turning back into water that is pumped back into the reactor to begin the cycle all over again.

Visit the Susquehanna plant
If you are looking for a free, fun and educational activity for the family, stop at the Susquehanna Energy Information Center on Route 11 for a guided visit to the nuclear power plant.

The Information Center is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To schedule a group presentation, call 1-866-832-3312.

As a corporation, and as individuals, we understand our responsibility to do the right thing. Read PPL's Corporate Responsibility Report.

Unit 2 at Susquehanna nuclear power plant starts refueling outage after 723 consecutive days generating electricity
Second longest run ever by a U.S. nuclear plant underscores commitment to reliability and safety by plant workers

Ending the second longest run ever by a nuclear generating unit in the United States, operators safely shut down the Unit 2 reactor at PPL Corporation’s Susquehanna nuclear power plant in northeastern Pennsylvania on Tuesday (4/7) to begin a planned refueling and maintenance outage.

Unit 2 generated electricity for 723 consecutive days since its last refueling and maintenance outage in 2007. That is a record for the Susquehanna plant, and the second longest run ever by a nuclear generating unit in the United States, according to figures provided by the Nuclear Energy Institute.

Continuous operation of Unit 2 helped the two-unit Susquehanna plant set a record by generating 19,046,000 megawatt-hours in 2008, which is enough to power about 2 million homes.

While the Unit 2 reactor is shut down, workers will replace about 40 percent of its uranium fuel and complete a number of equipment maintenance tasks and upgrades. The equipment maintenance to be performed will enhance reliability and help meet the growing demand for electricity to power the region’s economy.

Unit 1 at the plant continues to operate at full power.

“Some of the work to be completed during this outage will increase the amount of electricity the Susquehanna nuclear plant can safely generate,” said Neil Gannon, vice president-Nuclear Operations for PPL Susquehanna. That work includes replacing the unit’s steam dryer, located in the reactor above the fuel core. The steam dryer helps to remove more than 99 percent of the moisture in the steam that turns the turbine to generate electricity. If not removed, the moisture would damage the turbine’s blades.

This work is part of the major investment PPL is making in the future of the Susquehanna plant. PPL is in the midst of a program to increase the plant’s electricity output and has asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to approve a 20-year extension of the operating licenses for both units.

About 1,500 additional people — PPL employees and contractors — who have been brought in to help accomplish all of this important work are expected to help the local economy.

“In addition to their valuable work at the plant, all the extra workers are filling tables at local restaurants and rooms in hotels and rental properties and shopping in stores in Luzerne and Columbia counties,” Gannon said. “Our annual outages help drive additional revenue for local businesses, a side benefit that we’re happy to bring to our neighbors.” >> Read full news release here

PPL supports a bipartisan bill announced by two U.S. Senators that represents an effective and realistic plan to begin addressing the level of climate-changing greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

PPL believes a unified, national approach is essential to meet the global challenge of climate change successfully.

The bill would limit greenhouse gas emissions to 2006 levels by 2020, and 1990 levels by 2030. It also calls for a 60 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

PPL believes the bill takes the realistic approach of first slowing the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, then reducing them over time.

Susquehanna Warrior Trail

The Susquehanna Warrior Trail Council celebrated the groundbreaking of a new rails-to-trails project on Aug. 3 at PPL’s Susquehanna Riverlands.

When complete the new 18.5 trail will connect seven communities along the river – extending from the Riverlands north to Larksville.

The Susquehanna Warrior Trail Council – which includes two PPL Susquehanna employee volunteers, Dan Shane and Lance Kittleson – has been working for more than 10 years to make the trail a reality to increase the recreational opportunities available in the community.

Joe Scopelliti, a 23-year veteran with PPL Corporation, has been named manager of community relations for the company’s Susquehanna nuclear power plant near Berwick, Pa.

Scopelliti is a member of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, Shamokin Area Industrial Corp., Tri-Chamber Foundation Inc., Milton Area Industrial Development Association Committee, Berwick Rotary Club and local American Nuclear Society chapter.

He is a past chairman of the Berwick Area Chamber of Commerce, chairman of Faith United Evangelical Lutheran Church and campaign chair for the Berwick Area United Way.

He is active in fundraising for the Berwick Area United Way, the United Way of Columbia County, the Columbia-Montour Council of Boy Scouts of America and the Berwick Area YMCA.