Posted on 04/19/2023 1:29:52 PM PDT by Twotone
Michigan leaders may be willing to put up as much as $300 million toward the unprecedented effort to restart a Michigan nuclear power plant.
State officials may contribute millions in taxpayer dollars toward Holtec International’s attempt to get its Palisades nuclear plant upgraded and fired back up to provide 800 megawatts of carbon-free, base load power as the energy sector transitions away from fossil fuels. If successful, it would be the first nuclear plant in the nation returned to generating power after being decommissioned.
The plant was shuttered last year when its owner exited the nuclear energy generation business and sold the facility to Holtec. The new owner has now twice applied for federal dollars to help get the plant running again.
The Biden administration has a $6 billion fund within the U.S. Department of Energy meant to preserve the U.S. nuclear reactor fleet and associated energy sector jobs.
Climate action advocates argue nuclear power provides reliable energy without emitting greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear energy is considered key to meeting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s climate goals as more solar and wind power infrastructure is built out.
Whitmer spokesperson Bobby Leddy said the nuclear plant near South Haven is a “critical energy source and economic driver” for the region.
“We are in communication with Holtec and working to secure federal funding to move the ball forward,” Leddy said.
State money may be needed as bridge funding to pay for advancing restart efforts at Palisades should trust fund money for decommissioning plants become unavailable. More will be known when federal energy officials decide on the pending $1 billion grant application, expected to be the primary investment in the nuclear plant restart.
Holtec officials said it will take hundreds of millions of dollars for needed facility renovations and to buy more nuclear fuel, and they applauded Whitmer’s efforts to repower Palisades.
“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,” said Patrick O’Brien, Holtec communications director.
State lawmakers for the area confirmed Holtec is seeking as much as $300 million from the state, as first reported by The Herald-Palladium this week.
Michigan Rep. Pauline Wendzel, R-Watervliet, confirmed both legislators and Whitmer administration officials are actively considering the state funding.
Wendzel said that as the GOP leader on the state House Energy, Communications, and Technology Committee, one of her top priorities is “maintaining reliable base load electricity for Michigan families and businesses.
“The last thing we want is to be the next California, without enough reliable generation to meet energy demands,” Wendzel said.
Natural gas power plants have provided a greater percentage of the state’s energy supply following the closure of Palisades and some coal-fired generation.
Power generation at nuclear plants does not generate greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change, like burning fossil fuels does. However, some environmental advocates remain concerned about ecological degradation from needed uranium mining and radiation risk from toxic waste nuclear plants produce.
Michigan utility regulators are currently studying whether the state should build more nuclear power plants, balancing the benefits and drawbacks. A draft report is expected by year’s end.
I would bet money that the Germans will be restarting their nukes within a year - two at the max.
I’m beginning to think that uranium mining stocks might be a good play.
>Michigan utility regulators are currently studying whether the state should build more nuclear power plants, balancing the benefits and drawbacks. A draft report is expected by year’s end.
Yes, yes, and yes. Apart from e-vehicles of any sort, we need plentiful power for a wide variety of needs. Therefore I expect the report to whine about storage or some other irrelevant non-issue and recommend NO and that people can die in favor of the (R)eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeecology.
Will they simply pull the plug or mothball and running the barring gear?
Without rotation, the huge shafts will sag! NOT GOOD!
“Power generation at nuclear plants does not generate greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change”
This is a “news” story and it’s BS. Damn it we cannot change the temperature up or down. Here is this BS presented as fact.
Worked there in 1985-1988 as an operator. Hope they bring it back. Whitmer should have taken steps to keep it open before they shut it down…..idiots.
“Climate action advocates argue nuclear power provides reliable energy without emitting greenhouse gas emissions.”
Like hell.
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