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Arkansas Nuclear One is a source of safe, clean, secure and reliable power located in Russellville. The site is home to two pressurized water reactors. ANO Unit 1 began commercial operations Dec. 19, 1974, followed less than six years later by Unit 2, which began commercial operations March 26, 1980. For nearly 50 years, the station has provided low cost power to customers in Arkansas, including the River Valley. The two units at ANO have enough capacity to supply a majority of power used by Entergy Arkansas commercial and residential customers. The two units generate enough power to meet approximately 56% of the total energy demand of Entergy Arkansas’ 730,000 customers.
In addition to electricity, ANO also generates a significant positive economic impact in the River Valley. Entergy remains one of the area's premiere employers and attracts highly-skilled, well compensated workers who live and invest in the community. The station currently employs approximately 1,048 full-time workers and more than 100 baseline contractors employed to assist in daily plant activities.
One of Entergy's core values is a commitment to communities, and ANO employees maintain a strong presence in Russellville and the surrounding Arkansas River Valley area. Each year, grants totaling more than $100,000 are awarded to local non-profit organizations, and employees partner with Entergy Corporation to donate in excess of $230,000 to the River Valley United Way for distribution to its partner agencies.
Arkansas Nuclear One
| Â | Unit 1 | Unit 2 |
| Location: | Russellville, Ark. | Russellville, Ark. |
| Owner: | Entergy Arkansas, LLC | Entergy Arkansas, LLC |
| Maximum Dependable Capacity: | 836 MW | 988 MW |
| Reactor Type: | Pressurized Water Reactor | Pressurized Water Reactor |
| Reactor Manufacturer: | Babcock and Wilcox | Combustion Engineering |
| Turbine Generator Manufacturer: | Westinghouse | General Electric |
| Architect/Engineer: | Bechtel Power | Bechtel Power |
| Commercial Operation Date: | Dec. 19, 1974 | March 26, 1980 |
| License Expiration Date: | May 20, 2034 | July 17, 2038 |
| Cooling Water Source: | Lake Dardanelle | Recirculating-water system from a 447-foot tall cooling tower |
| Number of Employees: | 1,048 (Units 1 and 2) | |
| Counties included in Emergency Planning Zone: | Pope, Johnson, Yell and Logan | |
Environmental impact
Generating electricity with nuclear energy prevents the emission of pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) and greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) associated with burning fossil fuels.
According to 2019 data, environmental emissions avoided due to nuclear power plant operation in Arkansas included 6,402 short tons of sulfur dioxide, 4,579 short tons of nitrogen oxide and 8.1 million metric tons of CO2.*
Emissions of SO2 lead to the formation of acid rain. NOx is a key precursor of both ground-level ozone and smog. Greenhouse gases like CO2 contribute to global warming.
* Source: Emissions avoided by nuclear power are calculated using regional fossil fuel emissions rates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and plant generation data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.