Oldest U.S. Nuclear Plant Shuts Down After Nearly 49 Years

America’s oldest nuclear power plant has shut down as planned.

Officials at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey say the plant went offline at noon Monday.

Oyster Creek went online Dec. 1, 1969, the same day as the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Generating Station near Oswego, New York.

But Oyster Creek’s original license was granted first, technically making it the oldest of the nation’s commercial nuclear reactors that are still operating.

The plant in Lacey Township near the Jersey shore has dealt with corrosion and leaks during its time in service, but its owner, Chicago-based Exelon Corp., says the plant has always been safe.

There are now 98 nuclear power plants operating in the U.S. following Oyster Creek’s closure.