Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in the US has allowed extension of the operating licence for the 2.5GW Braidwood generating station in Illinois to its operator Exelon Generation.
The nuclear energy facility is situated in Braceville and equipped with two pressurised-water reactors.
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License renewal has extended its operational life by 20 years, allowing Exelon to keep unit 1 operating until 2046 and unit 2 until 2047.
Braidwood Station site vice-president Marri Marchionda-Palmer said: "In addition to the vast economic impact, it also allows us to continue producing safe, reliable, carbon-free electricity for the state of Illinois for decades to come."
With a generation capacity for 2,500MW, the facility is capable of meeting power demands in more than two million US households.
Braidwood mayor James Vehrs said: "Our long-term relationship with Exelon and Braidwood Generating Station has been a large part of the economic and social growth of our city.
"Exelon has promoted job growth, neighbourhood stability and a steady influx of tax dollars to our schools and other taxpayer-funded services."
In September last year, the US NRC has also extended operating license for the Sequoyah nuclear power plant in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.
The extension will allow Tennessee Valley Authority to continue power generation at unit 1 until 17 September 2040 and keep the second unit operating until 15 September 2041.
