Constellation Energy’s Plans to Restart Three Mile Island Go Under Review

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Although inoperable at the moment, Constellation Energy is attempting to restart its Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. With this being a historical event, U.S. nuclear regulators initiated a public meeting on Friday to discuss the project’s parameters and influences. Constellation signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft last month providing the ability to reopen Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 reactor. Constellation attended the meeting and presented its case to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Three Mile Island is located in Pennsylvania on the Susquehanna River. It became a major topic of conversation in 1979 when the Unit 2 reactor experienced a partial meltdown. In response to the incident, the unit was permanently shut down and is currently undergoing decommissioning. With the plans to reopen Unit 1, Constellation is additionally seeking to extend the plant’s life and change the name to the Crane Clean Energy Center.

While attempting to evaluate and analyze the details of the project, the NRC requested specific details pertaining to the project. Constellation was asked to provide emergency evacuation plans for the plant, while also requesting specifics about the agreement itself with Microsoft. The NRC additionally directed Constellation speedup the process of permitting associated with water use for the plant.

Although it has been approximately 45 years since the Unit 2 incident, decommissioning only began last year. The NRC voiced concerns about how that activity would take place simultaneously while provisions were taken to restart Unit 1. With Constellation owning the land and Unit 1, Energy Solutions owns Unit 2. Simultaneous activities will prove critical in the project’s success.

Although the Unit 1 reactor closed in 2019 due to economic hardship, Constellation plans to restart the 835-megawatt facility in 2028. In its agreement with Microsoft, Constellation would deliver power to the grid to offset the company’s data center electricity use in the region. This comes in response to Big Tech’s increased electricity demand for AI data center expansion needs, which has ultimately led the revival of the nation’s struggling nuclear industry.

“We understand how we shut it down and we have a good idea of how we are going to restart this,” said Trevor Orth, plant manager, during the NRC meeting.

Attendees of the public meeting voiced their opinions regarding the Unit 1 restart. While some support the plan to move forward, others still have questions they want answered.

“Our skyline changed when the water vapor stopped coming out of the iconic cooling towers, and we look forward to the day when that returns,” said Steve Aaron, a Dauphin County small business owner.

“I think the public needs to know how much this is costing, and there should be another report on where the money is coming from,” said Jan Boudard.

Regulators indicated Constellation has a great deal of work to do and information to provide before the project goes active. Spokesman Scott Burnell pointed to the need for Constellation to submit a quality assurance plan and environmental reports while additionally fulfilling licensing requirements.

“Back in 2019, they gave us a legal document saying they would never operate the plant again,” said Burnell. “If they want to reverse that, they need an exemption from our rules to give them the ability to take back those representations.”

According to Constellation, the company hopes for a start date in 2025 to commence with the physical work need to bring the Unit 1 reactor active. The $1.6 billion project could additionally provide thousands of jobs to complete the project. Until all data and necessary information is provided to the NRC, the Three Mile Island project will sit in wait.

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Nick Vaccaro

Freelance Writer and Photographer

Nick Vaccaro is a freelance writer and photographer. In addition to providing technical writing services, he is an HSE consultant in the oil and gas industry with twelve years of experience. Vaccaro also contributes to SHALE Oil and Gas Business Magazine, American Oil and Gas Investor, Oil and Gas Investor, Energies Magazine and Louisiana Sportsman Magazine. He has a BA in photojournalism from Loyola University and resides in the New Orleans area. Vaccaro can be reached at 985-966-0957 or nav@vaccarogroupllc.com.