How old are U.S. nuclear power plants, and when was the newest one built?
The average age of U.S. commercial nuclear power reactors that were operational as of March 2026 is about 44 years. The oldest operating reactor is Nine Mile Point Unit 1 in New York State, which entered commercial service in December 1969. The newest reactor to enter service is Vogtle Unit 4 at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Georgia, which began commercial operation in April 2024. The third-youngest operating reactor is Vogtle Unit 3, which began commercial electricity generation in July 2023.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licenses new commercial nuclear reactors to operate for 40 years. Reactors licensed for 40 years can apply for a 20-year operating license extension, extending their operations to 60 years. The NRC can grant a second 20-year operating license extension, extending a total operational life to 80 years.
Learn more:
Plant Vogtle Unit 4 begins commercial operation
Articles on nuclear energy
Does EIA publish the location of electric power plants, transmission lines, and substations?
Does EIA have data on each power plant in the United States?
U.S. Nuclear Generation and Generating Capacity
Status of NRC reactor license renewal applications
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