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Members of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce tour the Susquehanna Energy Plant near Berwick

Chamber Gets Inside Look at Nuclear Industry

Tour of PPL’s Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant Highlights Impact on Business Community

HAZLETON, Pa. (July 30, 2007) – The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce got an insiders look at how a nuclear power plant is operated on Thursday, July 26 during a tour of PPL’s Susquehanna nuclear plant in Salem Township, near Berwick, Pa.

Approximately 25 chamber members visited the Susquehanna nuclear plant to learn about how the plant generates power and the security measures in place to protect the plant and the community. In addition, the chamber learned how the plant impacts the business community of the lower Luzerne County area.

“With more than 1,100 employees, PPL Susquehanna has always played a major role in helping to strengthen the economy of southern Luzerne County,” said Donna Palermo, president of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. “The increase in local business during the plant’s last outage prompted us to learn more about PPL’s future initiatives to ensure chamber members have all the information they need to make the most of these opportunities.”

Luzerne County Commissioner Stephen Urban, a guest with the Chamber tour, said the plant’s proposals to extend its operating license and build a third reactor should be welcome news to the community.

“As our region continues to grow, so does the demand for power,” Urban said. “If the plans to expand the power plant become a reality, not only will that increase the amount of reliable power available for the region, it will also increase the amount of high-quality, well-paying jobs for people in our area.”  

In addition to attending a presentation on nuclear energy, the chamber discussed the plant’s proposals to expand to a third reactor, the application to renew its operating license and plans for next year’s outage. Chamber members also attended a security demonstration at the plant’s firing range.

Lou Ramos speaks to members of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce
during a tour of the Susquehanna Energy near Berwick.

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