![[Pasted image 20250804195237.png|400]] Website: [NextEraEnergyResources.com/Seabrook](https://www.nexteraenergyresources.com/seabrook-station.html) ### Introduction Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant is located in Seabrook, [[New Hampshire]], on the coast near the border with Massachusetts. The plant began commercial operation on August 19, 1990, after a prolonged construction period marked by significant public opposition and financial challenges. Seabrook Station is owned and operated by [[NextEra Energy Resources]] LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc., a publicly traded company (ticker: NEE) based in Florida. Construction began in 1976, but delays due to regulatory hurdles, protests against nuclear power, and financial difficulties with the original owner, Public Service Company of New Hampshire, pushed the completion date well beyond initial projections. At one point, construction costs ballooned to over $6 billion, making it one of the most expensive nuclear projects in U.S. history at the time. Despite its contentious history, Seabrook Station has been a critical component of New England's energy grid since its commissioning. It is currently operational, providing a significant portion of New Hampshire's electricity and contributing to the region's carbon-free energy goals. The plant has faced ongoing scrutiny over safety and environmental concerns, particularly related to concrete degradation in recent years, but continues to operate under close regulatory oversight by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/seab1.html). ### Technical Specifications | Specification | Details | |------------------------|----------------------------------| | Reactor Type | Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) | | Reactor Model | [[Westinghouse Electric Company|Westinghouse]] 4-loop | | Number of Units | 1 | | Net Capacity (MWe) | 1,244 MWe | | Thermal Capacity (MWt)| 3,648 MWt | | Cooling System | Once-through (Atlantic Ocean) | | Fuel Type | Enriched Uranium Dioxide (UO2) | | Commercial Operation | August 19, 1990 | | Grid Connection | ISO New England | The data above reflects the most current technical specifications available from public sources and regulatory records [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/seab1.html) and [MMWEC.org](https://www.mmwec.org/our-energy-assets/seabrook-nuclear/). ### Licensing and Regulatory Status - **Original Operating License Date and Expiration**: The original operating license for Seabrook Station was issued on March 1, 1986, with an initial expiration date of March 15, 2030. - **License Renewal Status**: On March 19, 2019, the NRC approved a 20-year license extension, extending the operational period to March 15, 2050 [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/seab1.html). - **Current NRC Oversight Status**: Seabrook Station is under standard NRC oversight with regular inspections and performance reviews. The plant is currently in the NRC's "Licensee Response" column, indicating normal operations with no significant regulatory concerns requiring escalated oversight. - **Ongoing Regulatory Issues**: There have been concerns about alkali-silica reaction (ASR), a form of concrete degradation affecting structures at the plant. This issue has been under investigation, with experts touring the facility in April 2025 to assess the situation. The NRC and NextEra are working on monitoring and mitigation strategies to ensure safety [WMUR.com](https://www.wmur.com/article/seabrook-nuclear-plant-concrete-degradation-41725/64516724). ### Ownership and Operations - **Current Owner/Operator**: NextEra Energy Resources LLC operates Seabrook Station and holds an 88.2% ownership stake. The remaining ownership is held by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) at 11.59%, and two smaller Massachusetts municipal utilities, Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant (0.1%) and Hudson Light & Power Department (0.08%) [MMWEC.org](https://www.mmwec.org/our-energy-assets/seabrook-nuclear/). - **Parent Company Financial Position**: NextEra Energy, Inc., the parent company, is a Fortune 200 company with a strong financial position, reporting $28.1 billion in revenue for 2024 and a market capitalization of over $150 billion as of late 2025 (based on public financial data). Its diversified portfolio includes significant renewable energy assets alongside nuclear operations. - **Employment and Economic Impact**: Seabrook Station employs approximately 650 full-time workers, with salaries significantly higher than the average in Rockingham and Strafford Counties, contributing substantially to the local economy [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seabrook_Station_Nuclear_Power_Plant). - **Annual Generation**: The plant generates approximately 40% of New Hampshire’s total electricity, producing over 10 million megawatt-hours annually, making it a cornerstone of the state’s energy supply [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seabrook_Station_Nuclear_Power_Plant). ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |-----------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | August 10, 2025 | Recognition of Power Contribution | The U.S. Department of Energy highlighted Seabrook Unit 1 as generating over half of New Hampshire’s electricity [GovNuclear on X](https://x.com/GovNuclear/status/1954645451950493807). | | April 17, 2025 | Concrete Degradation Inspection | Nuclear experts toured Seabrook Station to inspect degrading concrete due to alkali-silica reaction (ASR), with ongoing monitoring by NextEra and NRC [WMUR.com](https://www.wmur.com/article/seabrook-nuclear-plant-concrete-degradation-41725/64516724). | | August 20, 2024 | 35th Anniversary Celebration | Seabrook Station marked 35 years of commercial operation, reflecting on its history and contribution to regional energy [RebeccaBeatriceBrooks.com](https://rebeccabeatricebrooks.com/seabrook-power-plant-anniversary/). | | November 27, 2023 | Regulatory Safety Concerns | Concerns raised in posts on X about potential political interference in safety practices, though no official confirmation from NRC [MaryBowdenMD on X](https://x.com/MaryBowdenMD/status/1861769670061064475). | | October 24, 2023| Environmental Impact Report | Seacoast Anti-Pollution League reported on routine and accidental radioactive releases since 1990, raising public awareness of environmental concerns [SAPLNH.org](https://saplnh.org/current-issues/seabrook-station/). | ### Safety and Emergency Planning - **Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) Details**: Seabrook Station has a 10-mile EPZ, covering parts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Residents, workers, and visitors within this zone are advised to be familiar with emergency plans and procedures, as outlined by state and [[Federal|federal]] guidelines [ReadyNH.gov](https://www.readynh.gov/disasters/nuclear-power-plants/seabrook-station-epz-preparedness). - **Notable Safety Features or Upgrades**: The plant has implemented post-Fukushima safety enhancements, including additional backup power systems and improved flood protection measures. Continuous monitoring of concrete degradation (ASR) is also in place to ensure structural integrity [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/seab1.html). - **Historical Safety Incidents**: While no major accidents like meltdowns have occurred at Seabrook, there have been minor incidents, including inadvertent siren activations (e.g., in 2022, as noted in posts on X) and routine releases of low-level radioactive by-products since 1990, as reported by environmental groups [SAPLNH.org](https://saplnh.org/current-issues/seabrook-station/). ### Decommissioning Status (if applicable) This section is not applicable as Seabrook Station is currently operational with a license extending to 2050. No decommissioning plans are in place at this time. ### New Hampshire Relevance Seabrook Station holds immense significance for New Hampshire due to its geographic location and energy contributions. Situated in Seabrook, NH, the plant directly serves the state’s energy needs, generating over 40% of New Hampshire’s electricity and contributing significantly to the ISO New England (ISO-NE) regional grid, which ensures power stability across six states. Its proximity to population centers in southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts underscores its role as a critical infrastructure asset, while also necessitating robust emergency planning for nearby communities. The plant offers lessons for New Hampshire’s nuclear policy, particularly regarding the balance between energy reliability, environmental concerns, and public safety. Ongoing issues like concrete degradation highlight the need for stringent regulatory oversight and proactive maintenance, which could inform future nuclear projects or policies in the state. For Seabrook itself, these challenges emphasize the importance of sustained investment in infrastructure upgrades to maintain safety and operational efficiency through 2050. Additionally, Seabrook’s large-scale nuclear output provides a benchmark for discussions on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in New Hampshire, as policymakers weigh the benefits of newer, smaller-scale nuclear technologies against the proven capacity of traditional plants like Seabrook. Its role in providing carbon-free energy also aligns with regional goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, positioning it as a key player in New Hampshire’s energy transition. ### Competitive Position Compared to other nuclear plants in the New England region, Seabrook Station stands out for its high output and relative youth. With a net capacity of 1,244 MWe, it is the second-largest nuclear power plant in New England, behind only [[Millstone Power Station]] in Connecticut (over 2,000 MWe combined across two units). Seabrook’s single-unit design contrasts with multi-unit plants like Millstone, but its output exceeds that of smaller regional facilities like the now-decommissioned [[Pilgrim]] Nuclear Power Station in Massachusetts (685 MWe, shut down in 2019). In terms of age, Seabrook, operational since 1990, is younger than Millstone (operational since 1970-1975), giving it a longer remaining licensed lifespan, especially with its renewal to 2050. Reliability at Seabrook has been strong, with consistent operation and minimal unplanned outages in recent years, though the concrete degradation issue poses a potential risk if not managed effectively. Operating costs for Seabrook are competitive within the region, benefiting from economies of scale as a large single-unit plant, though exact figures are proprietary. Compared to Millstone, which faced financial struggles before a state-backed agreement ensured its continued operation, Seabrook’s financial backing under NextEra Energy provides greater stability. Overall, Seabrook remains a critical and competitive asset in the regional nuclear fleet, balancing high output with ongoing safety and maintenance challenges [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov). ### Closing Note Seabrook Station remains a vital component of New Hampshire’s and New England’s energy grid, delivering over 40% of the state’s electricity while navigating safety and environmental challenges under close regulatory scrutiny. (Note: Despite searching NextEra Energy Resources’ official website and investor relations pages, no specific RSS feed for Seabrook Station press releases or news was found. General company news feeds exist, but none are plant-specific.) *Report generated December 24, 2025*