Oyster Creek: Extending Our Reach in the Community
Since 1969, the Oyster Creek Generating Station has been a good neighbor, safely, cleanly and efficiently producing electricity for some 600,000 New Jersey residents and businesses.
Our employees – your neighbors – have consistently operated and maintained Oyster Creek with dedication and professionalism for more than 42 years. These highly trained operators, engineers, scientists, technicians and security professionals know that your safety depends on them doing their best everyday. And so they do. They know their tools and their jobs better than anyone, thanks to rigorous training and an uncompromising commitment to continuous improvement.
But we do more than just produce power. We work hard to generate goodwill within our community. We share our time, talent and treasures, and give back to those who have so graciously hosted us for five decades.
Each year, we give back nearly $400,000 to the communities served by Oyster Creek through Exelon Nuclear corporate donations and through individual employee contributions. In 2011, alone, Oyster Creek employees pledged nearly $286,000 to the United Way of Ocean County, making Oyster Creek the largest regional contributor ever! And although our tallies are not complete, we expect to far surpass that amount in this year’s campaign, which will be closing out soon.
Last month, we donated $10,500 to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine so that the nonprofit organization could purchase a much-needed emergency generator. Director Bob Schoelkopf said such a donation would assure the continued health and safety of the marine life the organization rescues and rehabilitates 24/7.
Our employees volunteer thousands of community service hours each year to youth athletic organizations, PTAs, scouting groups, environmental and animal advocacy organizations and other nonprofits. They spearhead teams and individually participate in fundraising walks, bike-athons, runs and other events. Recently, a team of bicyclists trekked along the Jersey Coast to raise over $3,400 for the M.S. Society. That type of giving happens nearly everyday.
Last month, about a dozen employees spent the day along Great Bay Boulevard in Little Egg Harbor, installing terrapin fencing alongside the road to assure these tiny creatures do not become victim to speeding vehicles. And later this month, about 70 employees will divide their time, helping make over buildings at St. Francis Community Center in Long Beach Township, and helping make improvements to Meadowedge Park in Barnegat and The Lighthouse Center in Waretown.
Talk to any Oyster Creek employee and they will tell you how proud they are to help their community. They have a strong investment here.
You’ve got an opportunity to meet many of our employees, and learn about some of the regional nonprofit organizations that we do support during our annual Community Information Night, scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20. The event will be held at our Education Center, just north of the plant’s main entrance. There, you’ll not only meet our employees, but you’ll learn about what happens at Oyster Creek everyday through interactive displays and activities.
Meantime, keep your eye on this blog space and I’ll keep you up to date on some of the good things going on at Oyster Creek!
Toxic Avenger
7:35 am on Saturday, June 9, 2012
( safely, cleanly) - dont forget about that little tritium leak ;)
Uncle Moe
11:26 am on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Oyster creek needs to be decomissioned. This is just a bad PR move. Nuclear energy may work, but I don't want it in my backyard. Oyster creek uses the same reactor design as Fukushima, and the town just wants it for the tax breaks.
Jack
3:13 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Oyster Creek or not, Lacey Township would not survive a 45' tsunami.
Keith Allen
4:37 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
My dad worked as a maintenance electrician for Oyster Creek about 10 years ago and I can remember the stories he would tell me about how filthy that place was... but by the time he left they had really cleaned it up and worked on regulating it better. Exelon has done good work with that plant, and while it may not be able to operate forever, it is definitely a lot safer today than it was when he started there, I can assure you of that.
BeyondReality
5:29 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
I hope you guys stay here for another 20 years. More power plants are needed if we are ever to keep up in the energy race and they have a huge impact on the economy. The amount of jobs created in Lacey were substantial and are going to be sorely missed. Not only that but they were a huge rateable for the town.
The Powerplant closing is the worst thing that could have ever happened to Lacey and surrounding towns economies. If it were up to me we would have a plant per town. The people that want this plant closed are the same people who are worried about how nice we are being to the Canadian geese that are taking over the state.
John Estock
4:32 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
A plant per town?? Ok Lets just have nuclear power plants everywhere...senseless!!
Keith Allen
6:12 pm on Sunday, August 5, 2012
Screw the canadian geese send them back to canada! I'm with you Beyond... more power.. more energy... cheaper energy!
Uncle Moe
9:51 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Those jobs won't matter when something goes wrong. I, for one, don't want to live with the potential risk of the horrifying effects of radiation (Shown by Chernobyl and Fukushima). We need more power plants, but not in my backyard. And yes, I do oppose the savage gassing of living animals, thank you very much.
astheturbinturns
10:31 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Wow ... look at all those contributions to nature! Only question is how many fish did you kill through the years and how much in fines do you have to pay? Gee, are these contributions to nature part of that fine???
Jack
3:16 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
What do bluefish sell for at the fish market? About 35 cents/pound? What does Oyster pay for a dead bluefish? A few hundred dollars each. Start fining the head boats in barnegat light for every dead bluefish if you're really worry about them.
Abby Normal
11:56 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
That power plan has been here since 1969. The VAST majority of us moved here knowing full well what was in our backyard, and that same majority has enjoyed the tax breaks because of it. We can't have it both ways, although the plant could be safer and better regulated. I would hate to hear the haters after it closes down; the din will be deafening!
Favorite Teacher
1:21 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Really? Our property taxes are very high. Over $6,000 a year for a tiny home on a tiny lot. The plant is old and was built by the lowest bidder using a bad design.
The spent fuel worries me also. And a no fly zone over it would be prudent
Abby Normal
2:27 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
I own a 3 BR cape on a nice little lot and my taxes aren't that high, are you on the water? Instead of the state worrying about income tax reduction, it should be looking at the property tax relief. Everyday things makes a little less sense.
lou novak
5:08 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
lodi64
to all that are bashing the plant--you knew it was here when you moved here for low cost of housing and low taxes. to those who say $ 6000 in taxes are too much try buying the same house in toms river or long beach island, oh, you couldn't afford it. your taxes would be twice as high. you dont like the plant, well move back to where you came from. this was a nice community before all you complainers moved down here. you can't have it 2 ways low housing and taxes without the tax relief we get from the plant. if you think the grass is greener somewhere else, please move there!
Uncle Moe
12:52 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The spent fuel and tritium leaks are worrisome. Not to mention the ANCIENT reactor design. We cant shut this thing down fast enough, the tax breaks aren't even worth all of the health problems we'll get from this sooner or later
Jack
1:53 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
You antinuclear activists have been crying about "health problems sooner or later" since the plant was built. Well it's been more than 40 years and still zero impact on public health. Meanwhile a quarter million people die every year from air pollution (coal, gas, oil). "Sooner or later" someone might start to blame the antinuclear activists for all that smog and ash we're choking on.
Richard Skinner
7:02 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The only thing I worry about is if the plant were to be decomissioned our taxes would go way up as it is a change of use. From an operating plant to a storage facility.