How long has Harris been in operation and how long can it run?
The Harris Nuclear Plant began commercial operation in 1987. Progress Energy has more than 30 years of experience in operating nuclear power plants, with its first nuclear plant (the Robinson Plant near Hartsville, S.C.) coming online in 1971. U.S. nuclear plants are licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to operate for 40 years. The Harris Plant is licensed until 2026. Progress Energy has applied to the NRC for a license extension to allow operation of the Harris Plant for an additional 20 years, until 2046.
