Oyster Creek: Extending Our Reach in the Community

Since 1969, the Oyster Creek Generating Station has been a good neighbor, safely, cleanly and efficiently producing electricity for some 600,000 New Jersey residents and businesses.

Our employees – your neighbors – have consistently operated and maintained Oyster Creek with dedication and professionalism for more than 42 years. These highly trained operators, engineers, scientists, technicians and security professionals know that your safety depends on them doing their best everyday. And so they do. They know their tools and their jobs better than anyone, thanks to rigorous training and an uncompromising commitment to continuous improvement.

But we do more than just produce power. We work hard to generate goodwill within our community. We share our time, talent and treasures, and give back to those who have so graciously hosted us for five decades.

Each year, we give back nearly $400,000 to the communities served by Oyster Creek through Exelon Nuclear corporate donations and through individual employee contributions. In 2011, alone, Oyster Creek employees pledged nearly $286,000 to the United Way of Ocean County, making Oyster Creek the largest regional contributor ever! And although our tallies are not complete, we expect to far surpass that amount in this year’s campaign, which will be closing out soon.

Last month, we donated $10,500 to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine so that the nonprofit organization could purchase a much-needed emergency generator. Director Bob Schoelkopf said such a donation would assure the continued health and safety of the marine life the organization rescues and rehabilitates 24/7.

Our employees volunteer thousands of community service hours each year to youth athletic organizations, PTAs, scouting groups, environmental and animal advocacy organizations and other nonprofits. They spearhead teams and individually participate in fundraising walks, bike-athons, runs and other events. Recently, a team of bicyclists trekked along the Jersey Coast to raise over $3,400 for the M.S. Society. That type of giving happens nearly everyday.

Last month, about a dozen employees spent the day along Great Bay Boulevard in Little Egg Harbor, installing terrapin fencing alongside the road to assure these tiny creatures do not become victim to speeding vehicles. And later this month, about 70 employees will divide their time, helping make over buildings at St. Francis Community Center in Long Beach Township, and helping make improvements to Meadowedge Park in Barnegat and The Lighthouse Center in Waretown.

Talk to any Oyster Creek employee and they will tell you how proud they are to help their community. They have a strong investment here.

You’ve got an opportunity to meet many of our employees, and learn about some of the regional nonprofit organizations that we do support during our annual Community Information Night, scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20. The event will be held at our Education Center, just north of the plant’s main entrance. There, you’ll not only meet our employees, but you’ll learn about what happens at Oyster Creek everyday through interactive displays and activities.

Meantime, keep your eye on this blog space and I’ll keep you up to date on some of the good things going on at Oyster Creek!