Another milestone at the Palisades nuclear plant
Nuclear is a true sustainable source of energy
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) just dropped a significant update on the Palisades Nuclear Plant, marking another pivotal moment in the push for a nuclear renaissance in America. On April 22, 2025, DOE Secretary Chris Wright announced the release of the third loan disbursement to Holtec International--a hefty $46,709,358--bringing the company closer to restarting the shuttered Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan. This move is part of a broader $1.52 billion loan guarantee aimed at revitalizing the plant, which, once operational, will deliver 800 MW of clean, reliable baseload power to the region.
This announcement follows a trajectory that began gaining momentum last year. As I noted in my earlier piece, The Second Life of Palisades and the Nuclear Renaissance, the Palisades project represents a historic first: the restart of a commercial nuclear reactor that had previously ceased operations. Back in September 2024, Holtec secured the initial $1.52 billion loan from the DOE’s Loan Programs Office (LPO), a milestone celebrated on-site in Covert Township, Michigan. That moment was a testament to the growing recognition of nuclear energy’s role in a sustainable future—a sentiment echoed by Holtec’s CEO, Dr. Kris Singh, who called the project a “bellwether for the vital role that nuclear energy will play in securing our clean energy future.”
Fast forward to today, and the third disbursement underscores the DOE’s commitment to this vision. Secretary Wright framed the effort as part of President Trump’s directive to “unleash American energy dominance,” emphasizing the need for affordable, reliable, and secure electricity to fuel economic growth and energy independence. The Palisades plant, once restarted, will not only provide power but also create jobs and set a precedent for other decommissioned plants to follow suit. As I highlighted in my previous article, Holtec has already ramped up employment at the site, growing its workforce from 220 to over 450 since 2022, with plans to bring operations back online by October 2025 (pending U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approvals)).
The significance of this project extends beyond Michigan. Palisades is a symbol of what’s possible when innovation, policy, and determination align. In my earlier piece, I discussed how Holtec’s plans don’t stop at restarting the existing reactor—they’re also eyeing the addition of 600 MW of small modular reactor (SMR) capacity by 2030, a move that could further solidify nuclear’s role in America’s energy mix. Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to that future, proving that the “second life” of Palisades isn’t just a pipe dream; it’s a tangible step toward energy abundance.
However, the road hasn’t been without challenges. As I noted previously, a petition led by a former Palisades employee and an independent journalist raised concerns about the regulatory framework for recommissioning, urging the NRC to scrutinize the process more closely. Despite this, Holtec remains on track, with the NRC expected to issue a final decision on licensing by July 31, 2025. The DOE’s continued financial support signals confidence in Holtec’s ability to navigate these hurdles and deliver on its promises.
The Palisades revival is more than a single plant’s story, it’s a blueprint for how America can harness its nuclear potential to meet growing energy demands while cutting carbon emissions. With each disbursement, we’re not just funding a project; we’re investing in a future where energy is reliable, affordable, and sustainable. As I concluded in my last piece, the nuclear renaissance is no longer a distant hope…. it’s happening now, and Palisades is leading the charge.
Sources:
- U.S. Department of Energy announcement [April 22, 2025]
- Nathan Hammer, “The Second Life of Palisades and the Nuclear Renaissance,” Substack
This is all good news. Too bad we had such poor policies previously and these plants were shut in. More guaranteed loans because poor policies forced unnecessary shutdowns of operating power plants. Coal is included in this hot mess waste of time and money too. We have to do better as a country, we don’t have the resources to make such mistakes again. Not just money, but the skilled labor force is stretched, and supplies of key materials are tight as well.
This is huge - we need all of the nuclear we can get - and we really need the small micro reactors in a controlled manufacturing and controlled use, for mass production.