In a heartwarming turn of events for communities across Ohio and Pennsylvania, three nuclear power plants that were nearly shuttered just a few years ago are now positioned to thrive for at least another two decades. Vistra and Meta have announced an inspiring partnership that will breathe new life into the Beaver Valley, Davis-Besse, and Perry nuclear facilities, securing thousands of jobs and delivering clean energy to the region.

The story of these plants reads like a comeback tale. As recently as 2020, all three facilities were on a path to retirement, which would have meant devastating job losses and reduced energy capacity for the region. When Vistra acquired the plants in 2023, the company saw something others had missed: the tremendous value these facilities bring to grid reliability, local economies, and the hardworking people who depend on them. Today's announcement proves that vision was right on target.

Under the 20-year power purchase agreements, Meta will purchase more than 2,600 megawatts of zero-carbon energy to support its operations in the PJM region. What makes this deal particularly exciting is that it includes not just the existing capacity but also 433 megawatts of new power through equipment upgrades at all three plants. This represents the largest nuclear uprates supported by a corporate customer in United States history, adding more than 15 percent new capacity to the grid.

The human impact of this partnership cannot be overstated. The three plants provide thousands of permanent, well-paying jobs that support families and anchor their communities. Over the nine-year span of the uprate projects, approximately 3,000 additional jobs in engineering, construction, and planned outage work are expected. These aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet but real opportunities for real people to build careers and support their families.

Jim Burke, president and CEO of Vistra, expressed pride in the collaboration, noting that Meta's commitment provides the certainty needed to invest in these plants and their surrounding communities. Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta, emphasized how nuclear energy provides the clean, reliable power essential for advancing technological innovation while driving economic growth in the communities they serve.

The Ripple Effect extends far beyond the plant gates. These facilities contribute tens of millions of dollars annually in state and local taxes, bolstering public services and infrastructure. The plants have long histories of charitable giving, community involvement, and employee volunteerism that strengthen the social fabric of their regions. With operations now secured through at least the 2040s, and potentially beyond with subsequent license renewals, these communities can plan for a stable, prosperous future.

Political leaders from both sides of the aisle celebrated the announcement. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro noted that the partnership taps into the Commonwealth's strengths as a national energy leader, while U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio called it a huge win for the state's growth and security.

Perhaps most inspiring is what this partnership represents: a commitment to communities, to workers, and to a clean energy future that doesn't leave people behind. These plants will continue delivering reliable, carbon-free electricity to the grid for all users while ensuring the people and towns that depend on them can continue to thrive.