PORT GIBSON — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating license for the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson through 2044.

Entergy Mississippi representatives said in a statement the 20-year extension, which begins in 2024, comes after five years of intensive reviews to ensure the plant’s safety, operational capacity and environmental impact will meet or exceed standards into the future.

“We are pleased with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s decision — it demonstrates their confidence in our ability to operate Grand Gulf safely and securely for the benefit of our customers, employees and shareholders,” said Vin Fallacara, Grand Gulf site vice president.

Grand Gulf is the only nuclear plant to produce power in the state, and it generates just under 20 percent of the state’s electricity.

The facility employs more than 700 people with an annual payroll of $73 million. Grand Gulf pays more than $29.5 million in state and local taxes.

The facility began operation in 1985 and was originally licensed to operate for 40 years.

Entergy filed an early application for a license extension of 20 years in 2011.

A major upgrade completed in 2012 increased the plant’s efficiency and generation by about 13 percent, making the facility the largest single-unit nuclear power plant in the country and the fifth largest in the world, Entergy representatives said in a statement.
Grand Gulf is owned and operated by System Energy Resources, Inc. at 90 percent, and Cooperative Energy, formerly South Mississippi Electric Power Association, at 10 percent.

“Grand Gulf has been an integral part of Cooperative Energy’s generation portfolio providing power for our members for more than 30 years,” said Brad Edwards, Cooperative Energy’s vice president of power production. “We recognize and appreciate the hard work that made this possible, and we look forward to safe and reliable operation of the unit through the license extension.”

Renewal of Grand Gulf’s operating license brings the number of commercial nuclear power reactors with renewed licenses to 86 — two of those have since permanently shut down. Applications for an additional nine renewals are currently under review. Information about these reviews can be found at www.nrc.gov.