The Palisades Nuclear Plant in Van Buren County, Michigan, has received an additional $56.8 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, drawn from a $1.52 billion federal loan to Holtec International. This funding is part of efforts to restart the previously decommissioned plant, marking it as the first initiative in the nation to revive a commercial nuclear power facility. Energy Secretary Chris Wright highlighted the initiative, stating, "Unleashing American energy dominance will require leveraging all energy sources that are affordable, reliable and secure - including nuclear energy," as reported by CBS News Detroit.
Originally acquired by Holtec International with plans to dismantle, the Palisades plant is now on a realigned track pending approvals from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). According to Detroit Free Press, the project not only promises to bring back a source of emission-free power but also to uphold numerous Michigan jobs. As Holtec's spokesperson, Nick Culp, put it, “This is another major step forward to bring Palisades back online later this year, returning 800 megawatts of safe and reliable baseload energy back to the grid while supporting hundreds of high-paying, highly skilled American jobs." There are up to 600 full-time employees and 1,000 specialized contractors already at work, focusing on scheduled inspections, testing, maintenance, and upgrades.
The comprehensive plan for the plant extends beyond its restart. Furthermore, Holtec announced plans for an addition of two U.S.-built small modular reactors on the Palisades property by 2030, which would add approximately 300 megawatts of energy each, as per Detroit Free Press. These advancements come amidst mixed local reactions, ranging from Governor Gretchen Whitmer's support, who sees this as “an epicenter of clean energy production,” to opposing nonprofit groups that question Holtec's capability to safely manage the plant's operations.
The loan disbursement, from the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, has reinforced the Trump administration's backing for the initiative that commenced during President Joe Biden's tenure. While the project aligns with Trump's "Unleashing American Energy" executive order, it also aims to satisfy state legislation, with Michigan lawmakers earmarking $150 million for the plant's reopening in the 2024 state budget while attracting federal support. This bipartisan approval underscores the national focus on increased domestic energy production and stronger energy security, as shared by State Rep. Pauline Wendzel, who believes that "the long-awaited American nuclear renaissance is here" and that "Michigan is going to lead the way," Detroit Free Press reported.
