Arizona Public Service (APS) announced on Mar. 16 its formal notification to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding plans to seek license renewal for all three units at the Palo Verde Generating Station. If approved, this move could extend the plant’s operations from the mid-2040s into the mid-2060s.
The Palo Verde Generating Station is a key part of APS’s energy portfolio, providing reliable, carbon-free electricity to four million homes and businesses. As the largest power generator in the western United States, it plays a significant role in supporting Arizona’s economic growth and meeting increasing energy demands.
“Palo Verde Generating Station is essential to our customers, a strong contributor to Arizona’s economy and a cornerstone of our energy future,” said Ted Geisler, APS President and CEO. “Delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy in the desert Southwest for decades, Palo Verde provides the foundation for the around-the-clock service our customers count on every day and especially during the extreme heat of Arizona summers. Our notice to the NRC is another step in ensuring Arizonans and the region continue to benefit from this critical resource for many more years to come.”
The NRC originally licensed Palo Verde’s three nuclear units in the 1980s for 40 years each. In 2011, APS received approval from the NRC for a 20-year extension that allows operation through the mid-2040s. On March 13, 2026, APS filed its Notice of Intent with plans to submit a Subsequent License Renewal Application by late 2027. This application will request an additional 20-year extension—potentially allowing Unit 1 to operate until 2065, Unit 2 until 2066, and Unit 3 until 2067. The NRC will review APS’s maintenance strategies and environmental protection plans as part of its evaluation process; public meetings will be held for community input.
“Nuclear power plants harness energy from atoms to produce electricity. It’s one of the most rigorously regulated and carefully monitored energy sources in the country, and these facilities are designed with multiple layers of safety,” said Adam Heflin, Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer at Palo Verde Generating Station for APS. “Palo Verde Generating Station operates reliably and provides stable generation – helping keep the grid dependable and long-term energy costs more affordable for customers.”
As Arizona grows and demand rises, APS is also exploring new nuclear technologies alongside Salt River Project (SRP) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP). In partnership with these utilities, APS applied in 2025 for a U.S. Department of Energy grant supporting site evaluations for potential new nuclear projects—including small modular reactors.
APS has served Arizona communities for over a century as a regulated utility company according to its official website. The company delivers power across rural areas, border towns, cities within its territory according to its official website, serving about 1.4 million customers statewide according to its official website. In addition to electricity supply according to its official website, APS offers related services such as outage support, billing assistance programs like Energy Support Program—which provides discounts based on income—and customer service setup or transfer according to its official website.
Looking ahead, if granted renewal by federal regulators following public review processes already used at other U.S stations—ten have been renewed so far—Palo Verde could continue supplying clean power well into mid-century.
