Key facts
- The Trump administration announced it achieved the goal of bringing three new advanced test reactors to criticality by July 4, 2026.
- President Trump aims to expand U.S. nuclear power capacity through new projects and restoring old reactors.
- Holtec International is working to restart the Palisades Nuclear Plant, facing challenges like equipment corrosion and supply chain disruptions.
- Constellation Energy aims to restart its Three Mile Island reactor, which was undamaged.
- The U.S. government is providing significant funding to support nuclear reactor recommissioning efforts.
President Trump's administration is pursuing an expansion of U.S. nuclear power capacity, including plans to develop new reactors and recommission existing ones. A significant development is the announcement that three new advanced test reactors have reached criticality by July 4, 2026, aligning with the administration's goal to invigorate the nuclear industrial base.
However, the process of restarting previously shut-down nuclear plants, such as the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan, has proven more complex and costly than anticipated. Holtec International, which purchased the Palisades plant, has encountered unexpected challenges including extensive equipment corrosion, supply chain disruptions, and infrastructure issues. Holtec's president acknowledged that some inspections, like those of the turbine, can only be completed after the project begins.
Despite these hurdles, Holtec aims to meet its contractual deadline of March 2027 for the Palisades plant and plans to begin loading fuel in September. Other companies like Constellation Energy are also involved in recommissioning projects, with Constellation's Three Mile Island project expected to be more straightforward due to the reactor being undamaged and the company's prior ownership.
The Trump administration is supporting these efforts with substantial funding, raising concerns about taxpayer burden and safety, particularly given Holtec's lack of prior nuclear plant operating experience. Environmental groups have expressed reservations about the compromises made in repairing aging equipment, though Holtec maintains that safety standards are being met.