Link: The US could bring a shuttered nuclear power plant back to life next year

For the first time, a shuttered US nuclear power plant is set to reopen with the aid of a $1.52 billion federal loan. The Department of Energy (DOE) has granted this funding to tech company Holtec for the Palisades plant in Michigan, which closed in 2022.

Nuclear power, a significant source of carbon-free energy, complements renewable sources like solar and wind. The reopening aligns with efforts to meet escalating US electricity demands and achieve climate objectives.

Holtec, after acquiring Palisades from Entergy, plans to restart the facility by next year. Once operational, the plant will power 800,000 homes and is expected to remain active until at least 2051.

The project could generate up to 600 union jobs, marking it the first US nuclear plant recommissioning. Holtec also has broader ambitions to deploy advanced nuclear technologies in Michigan.

However, the plan faces hurdles, including approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and potential delays. Environmental advocates also express concerns over nuclear waste and the implications of uranium mining.

Despite criticism, the DOE asserts that the Palisades project will aid environmental justice, targeting federal clean energy benefits to marginalized communities. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture is injecting $1.3 billion to decrease energy costs in conjunction with this initiative. #

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