NRC Renews Operating Licenses for Clinton & Dresden; Constellation Investing $370 Million in State-of-the-Art Upgrades to Keep These Illinois Nuclear Facilities Online, Meet Rising Power Demand and Support Economic Growth

Key Terms

nuclear regulatory commission regulatory

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is a government agency responsible for overseeing the safety and security of nuclear power plants and radioactive materials. It sets rules and monitors practices to prevent accidents and protect public health. For investors, its regulations can influence the stability and operation costs of nuclear energy companies, affecting their long-term viability.

operating licenses regulatory

Official permits or authorizations from government or regulatory bodies that allow a company to run specific businesses, facilities, products, or services. Like a driver's license for a car or a permit to build a house, these licenses determine whether a company can legally operate and sell; losing, not obtaining, or having restrictions on them can stop revenue, increase costs, or create legal risk, so investors watch them as a key indicator of a company's ability to deliver future cash flow.

license renewal regulatory

A license renewal is the formal process by which a business, product, or service obtains continued permission from a regulator or authority to operate, sell, or distribute something it already had approval for—similar to renewing a driver’s license to keep driving legally. Investors care because a successful renewal preserves revenue streams and market access, while delays, added conditions, or denial can reduce earnings, raise costs, or create uncertainty about future cash flow.

auxiliary transformers technical

Auxiliary transformers are electrical devices that step voltage up or down to supply power to a facility’s internal systems—lighting, control panels, motors, and safety equipment—separate from the main production or transmission transformer. Investors watch them because they affect operational reliability and maintenance costs; a failed auxiliary transformer can cause outages, regulatory issues or unexpected capital spending, much like a building’s backup generator keeping critical systems running during a power hiccup.

condensate polisher system technical

A condensate polisher system is an industrial filtration and chemical-treatment setup that cleans condensate — the liquid recovered when steam or vapor cools — by removing dissolved minerals, oils, particles and other contaminants. Like a water filter for a home's boiler, it protects turbines, boilers and pipelines from corrosion and fouling, improving efficiency, reducing maintenance and unplanned downtime, and thereby affecting operating costs and asset value that matter to investors.

feedwater level control technical

Feedwater level control is the system that keeps the water inside a boiler or steam generator at the right height so steam-producing equipment runs safely and efficiently. Think of it like maintaining the water level in a bathtub while a heater is on: too low risks overheating and damage, too high reduces power output and safety. Investors care because poor control can cause shutdowns, costly repairs, lower efficiency and regulatory problems that affect revenue and asset value.

zero emission credit (zec) program regulatory

A zero emission credit (ZEC) program is a government-backed system that pays producers of electricity that emits no greenhouse gases a small, regular credit for each unit of clean power they supply. Think of it like a voucher or bonus paid to a supplier for every barrel of oil they didn’t burn; it boosts revenue for clean plants, lowers their financial risk, and can change the value of utility and generator investments by shifting profits toward low-emission sources.

carbon-free energy technical

Energy produced without releasing carbon dioxide during generation, typically coming from sources such as wind, solar, nuclear, hydroelectric and certain geothermal or stored systems; it does not include fuels that emit CO2 when burned. Investors care because carbon-free energy can lower long-term regulatory, fuel and reputation risks, tap growing policy and consumer demand, and act like swapping an old polluting car for a cleaner one—changing operating costs, asset values and future revenue prospects.

20-year renewals preserve 2,200 jobs and $8.1 billion in tax revenues; clears path for Clinton to run until 2047 and Dresden to operate until mid-century

WARRENVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved a 20-year initial license renewal for Constellation’s Clinton Clean Energy Center and a 20-year subsequent license renewal for its Dresden Clean Energy Center, following a rigorous review of maintenance activities, plant equipment and safety systems at the two Illinois facilities. The approvals allow Clinton to operate through 2047 and the Dresden reactors to operate through 2049 and 2051. Constellation, the nation’s largest operator of clean, reliable nuclear power, is investing more than $370 million to relicense the plants, installing state-of-the-art upgrades to increase efficiency and ensure safety and reliability for decades to come.

Constellation's Clinton Clean Energy Center (left) and Dresden Clean Energy Center

“In the last ten years, we’ve invested over $3 billion in our high-performing Illinois nuclear facilities to power the state’s economy with clean, reliable energy,” said Bryan Hanson, Constellation Executive Vice President and Chief Generation Officer. “These license extensions will allow Clinton and Dresden to stay online for another two decades, preserving more than 2,200 family-sustaining jobs and $8.1 billion in federal, state and local tax dollars."

“Today’s announcement is a win for workers, communities, and Illinois’ clean energy future,” said Sean McGarvey, President of North America’s Building Trades Union (NABTU). “By renewing the operating licenses for the Clinton and Dresden clean energy centers, Constellation is ensuring decades of good union jobs while delivering reliable, carbon-free power. Our highly skilled members are proud to operate and maintain these plants safely every day. NABTU, the IBEW and all our affiliates value this long-term commitment, which demonstrates the success of labor and industry working together effectively to deliver the energy solutions our nation needs.”

At Clinton, two new auxiliary transformers and two advanced equipment chillers are delivering higher system reliability, while upgrades to the plant’s condensate polisher system offer greater protection from component degradation. At Dresden, operators are now using next-generation feedwater level control technology to enhance reactor safety, while a new main power transformer purchased for the plant will deliver state-of-the art electrical system monitoring and control. With these and other upgrades in place, Clinton and Dresden continue to operate at higher levels of safety, reliability and efficiency than the day they came online.

“We are looking forward to many more years of collaboration with the Clinton Clean Energy Center,” said Clinton Mayor Helen Michelassi. “We are so proud to have Constellation in our community and look forward to decades of impactful support for volunteer events and non-profit work to benefit the region.”

While these license renewals give Constellation the regulatory approval needed to operate Clinton and Dresden for another two decades, actual operation is contingent on each plant’s financial viability. At Clinton, the facility’s carbon-free energy is secure as a result of the 20-year agreement with Meta announced in August. The deal supports the continued operation, expansion and relicensing of the 1,121-megawatt Clinton facility following the expiration of the state’s Zero Emission Credit (ZEC) program in May 2027.

“The renewal of Dresden’s operating license reinforces this region’s standing as a hub for business growth and industrial innovation,” said Nancy Norton, president and CEO of Grundy County Economic Development. “Reliable, emissions-free energy is the foundation of economic progress, and the Dresden Clean Energy Center plays a vital role in keeping our communities and the businesses that depend on them moving forward. As new industries look to invest and expand in Grundy County, Dresden’s continued operation ensures that our region remains competitive, resilient, and ready for the future. It’s a win for our community and a step toward a stronger future for everyone who calls this region home."

Constellation’s clean energy portfolio includes 26 nuclear reactors in six states, and the company is investing billions to keep America’s largest nuclear fleet running at world-class levels of safety, reliability and efficiency.

About Constellation

Constellation Energy Corporation (Nasdaq: CEG), a Fortune 200 company headquartered in Baltimore, is the nation’s largest producer of reliable, emissions-free energy and a leading energy supplier to businesses, homes and public sector customers nationwide, including three-fourths of Fortune 100 companies. With annual output that is nearly 90% carbon-free, our hydro, wind and solar facilities paired with the nation’s largest nuclear fleet have the generating capacity to power the equivalent of 16 million homes, providing about 10% of the nation’s clean energy. We are committed to investing in innovative technologies to drive the transition to a reliable, sustainable and secure energy future. Follow Constellation on LinkedIn and X.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215522353/en/

Brett Nauman

Constellation Communications

(309) 433-6894

brett.nauman@constellation.com

Source: Constellation Energy Corporation