Limited Capacity

Cost: $65

Braidwood Clean Energy Center's two nuclear reactors can produce up to 2,386 megawatts (MW) of clean, carbon-free energy, enough electricity to power the equivalent of nearly 1.8 million homes.  The facility is built on a 4,457-acre site in Braceville, Illinois, and its cooling lake was formed from scarred farming land and an old strip mine.


 For all visitors to the site 

  • Due to the Braidwood Clean Energy Center restrictions, no foreign nationals will be permitted. 
  • All those entering the radiologically controlled area (RCA) must be 18 years of age or older. 
  • You must bring a current picture ID with you (Real ID driver’s license or current passport is acceptable). All items carried and any vehicles being brought onto company property are subject to search. You may be subjected to a physical pat down search prior to entry into the security area. 
  • Alcoholic beverages, firearms, ammunition, fireworks, incapacitating agents (pepper spray, mace, etc.) are not allowed on the property.  
  • Do not consume alcohol within five hours prior to entering the protected area. If the odor of alcohol is detected or unusual behavior is displayed, you may be requested to submit to an alcohol test or a drug and alcohol test. 
  • You must declare, prior to arrival, if you have received any nuclear medicine within the last 30 days (i.e., medical injections, heart scan, etc.). If you have received a recent nuclear medical injection, please bring a copy from your doctor of the date administered, isotope and amount administered. 
  • You must declare, prior to arrival, if you have a medical joint replacement. Please bring a note from your doctor stating the part and location of the implant. 
  • Please note individuals with certain types of pacemakers may need to be processed through security using an alternative method, including a physical pat down.

For those planning to tour the plant RCA 

  • Proper clothing and footwear are required. Participants should dress appropriately on the day of the tour or run the risk of being denied access to the RCA. The RCA is an industrial facility and safety is a priority. 
  • You should wear shoes or boots that have hard, flat soles and substantial uppers with both closed-toe and closed-heels. Comfortable walking shoes or leather sneakers are recommended. No gym shoes, high heels, sandals, moccasins, flip flops or slippers. 
  • Oxford-style shoes are fine for men and leather flats for women. Steel-toed shoes are not required. In fact, steel toes or shanks will set off the metal detectors at the entrance to the station, causing delays 
  • Please wear clothing made of natural fibers, such as cotton. Polyester, rayon and other synthetic materials tend to attract radon, which could delay your exit from the plant. Wear long pants. 
  • No shorts, yoga pants, capri pants, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, skirts or dresses are permitted in the plant. Denim jeans are permissible.

Braidwood Station will provide you with the proper personal protection equipment (hardhats, safety glasses and hearing protection. If you wear hearing aids, please let your escort know so that the appropriate hearing protection can be provided. 

Why we need your Social Security or Passport Number 

Before being granted access to a nuclear power plant, each prospective visitor’s Social Security or passport number is checked against a national database to ensure the individual has not been denied access at another nuclear site. This is done several days prior to the scheduled visit and again just prior to access authorization on the day of your visit. 

We do not retain Social Security or passport numbers once these checks are performed. In addition, those entering the RCA are issued a dosimeter, which measures radiation exposure. While visitors receive very little, if any, radiation exposure during a general tour, your Social Security number is the unique identifier that is used to record the reading on your dosimeter following the tour.