Oconee Nuclear Station turns 40

The Oconee Nuclear Station turns 40 this year and Duke Energy is planning a big celebration.  Oconee Nuclear Station is located on Lake Keowee in Oconee County, eight miles north of Seneca. Unit 1 began commercial operation in 1973, followed by units 2 and 3 in 1974. Since it began operating, Oconee Nuclear Station has generated more than 500 million megawatt-hours of electricity, the first nuclear station in the United States to achieve this milestone.  Duke Energy spokesperson Sandra Magee talks about the celebration being planned.  “We prefer to think we are 40 and fabulous, so we are celebrating 40 years of operation this year and we have a lot of planning going on to celebrate and have a birthday party.  We will be doing some community events and some employee events just to mark this milestone because it certainly has changed the landscape of this area by building our energy complex in the Keowee-Toxaway Valley.” Duke Energy invites the community to participate in the anniversary celebration by sharing your stories and pictures, adds Magee. “We know there are people here that lived here when we started building the lake and the nuclear plant and we know they have some great stories and memories.  We would love them to share those with us.  They can contact us directly, email, or call.  We would love for them to send stories and photographs.” Located at Oconee Nuclear Station, Duke Energy’s World of Energy offers educational activities and interactive exhibits for visitors interested in learning more about electricity generation, Duke Energy and Lake Keowee. This energy education center also regularly hosts free, family-friendly events.  To submit your story about Oconee Nuclear Station, drop by the World of Energy located at 7812 Rochester Highway in Seneca or call 1-800-777-1004.  You can also visit them online at www.duke-energy.com/worldofenergy.