Saxton Nuclear Generating Station
Encyclopedia
The Saxton nuclear facility was a nuclear-power
plant located in Bedford County
, near Saxton
, Pennsylvania
.
It had a net power output of 23.5 MW-thermal, and its purposes were primarily to research various aspects of nuclear-reactor technology and to train personnel. The plant was the first to research the use of plutonium
for peaceful purposes. It also worked on cooling methods, which were used during the nuclear disasters in Japan in 2011.
released the site for unrestricted use.
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
plant located in Bedford County
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 49,762. The county seat is Bedford. It is part of the Altoona, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, near Saxton
Saxton, Pennsylvania
Saxton is a borough in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 803 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Saxton is located at ....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Operation
The plant began operations in November 1961.It had a net power output of 23.5 MW-thermal, and its purposes were primarily to research various aspects of nuclear-reactor technology and to train personnel. The plant was the first to research the use of plutonium
Plutonium
Plutonium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with the chemical symbol Pu and atomic number 94. It is an actinide metal of silvery-gray appearance that tarnishes when exposed to air, forming a dull coating when oxidized. The element normally exhibits six allotropes and four oxidation...
for peaceful purposes. It also worked on cooling methods, which were used during the nuclear disasters in Japan in 2011.
Owners/operators
The owners/operators were Saxton Nuclear Experimental Corp (SNEC) and General Public Utilities Nuclear.Status
The plant was shut down in May 1972 and decommissioned. In November 2005, the Nuclear Regulatory CommissionNuclear Regulatory Commission
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is an independent agency of the United States government that was established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 from the United States Atomic Energy Commission, and was first opened January 19, 1975...
released the site for unrestricted use.