HOLLAND, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – After closing the doors of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in spring 2022, with plans to tear down the facility,  there are newfound discussions of reopening. 

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“As we work with the Department of Energy through the loan application process, the financial commitment from Michigan and a power purchase agreement are both essential to making a return to operations feasible,” plant owner Holtec International wrote in an emailed statement.

The email also recognized the need for support from the legislature. 

“We appreciate the support we have received from the governor and legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle as they understand the importance of this effort in providing clean and reliable energy generation as well as driving economic development and job creation in Michigan. We are hopeful that the process will produce a winning solution.”

While Holtec did apply for the opportunity to re-open in the fall through the Civil Nuclear Credit funding from the Department of Energy and were denied, it announced in December of the intention to apply a second time, though the application is currently under review. 

The approval is one of the many barriers to restarting the plant which would also need several regulatory certifications to be withdrawn, the plant’s operating license to be reinstated and to procure a power purchasing agreement. not to mention rehiring and retraining of staff according to the Holland Sentinel.

During a March meeting, Holtec Vice President Jean Fleming revealed no significant steps have been taken toward dismantling the plant.  While 380 employees left after the closure, roughly 220 remain to help handle site and security upgrades among other dismantling tasks. 

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“Keeping Palisades open is critical for Michigan’s competitiveness and future economic development opportunities,” Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, requesting federal funding for the restart.

The Governor acknowledged earlier this week Michigan’s ranking as the number two state nationwide for clean energy investments according to a report, with a combined $20 billion of investments since August 2022. 

If awarded the permission and funding, the Palisades would become the first U.S. nuclear reactor to restart after its fuel had been removed and its license revised to prohibit further operations, according to a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.