WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry traveled to Oswego, New York to tour Exelon Generation’s James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant. FitzPatrick, located just north of Syracuse, is the first nuclear power plant Perry has visited as Secretary of Energy.

While there, he received a tour of the facility and participated in an energy roundtable discussion with U.S. Congressman John Katko, Exelon CEO Chris Crane, industry executives and employees, and community leaders on the importance of nuclear energy. Following these events, Perry, Katko, and Crane gave a brief overview of the visit to members of the media.

“Nuclear provides approximately 20 percent of the electricity generated in the United States. It is one of our most reliable sources of baseload power, and it is also one of our cleanest sources of power, providing about 60 percent of our carbon-free energy output,” said Secretary Perry. “At DOE, we’re partnering with industry to develop ways to extend the safe and economic lifespan of our nuclear fleet. And together, we’re addressing the technical challenges to bringing advanced and innovative technologies to the market.”

“I was honored to join Secretary Perry in Oswego today to meet with the hardworking men and women at the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant and to highlight the importance of nuclear power.  In addition to providing reliable, emissions-free nuclear energy to consumers across the state, FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant is an economic driver in our region. This facility provides hundreds of skilled, well-paying jobs and is a vital part of New York State’s clean energy portfolio,” said Congressman Katko.

“It was an honor to welcome Secretary Perry and Congressman Katko to FitzPatrick today,” said Exelon CEO, Chris Crane. “They were able to see firsthand how we are investing in our state of the art nuclear facilities and the hardworking men and women who run them at world class levels of safety and operational excellence.”

The FitzPatrick Plant generates 838 megawatts of zero-emissions energy: enough carbon-free electricity to power 800,000 homes. FitzPatrick is one of 99 reactors in the United States that we count on for reliable power. Nuclear power provides clean, baseload power around the clock - contributing about 20 percent of the total electricity generated in the United States – as well as provides clean and dependable energy to the people of central New York.