Exclusive: A look inside Palisades Nuclear Power Plant - WWMT-TV

Exclusive look inside: Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, ritereers.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Former employees that worked at Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert came out of retiring to support the reopen.

Holtec International is getting the ball rolling, hiring employees, while it waits on approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Mike Lee worked at the plant for 34 years and was there when it shut down in 2022.

Lee came out of retirement to take on a Chemistry Manager position at Palisades.

“You’re retired, what made you want to get back in this?" Reporter Autumn Pitchure asked.

"Really just to get this opportunity to start this plant back up, it's exciting, I still think I have a lot to offer," Lee said. “It was like a family reunion because it was other people that have transferred back or people had stayed and I worked with for many years.”

Erica Boyer's returned from Mississippi to take her old position as Procurement Supervisor.

“Our family is from here and, as soon as we could, we packed up and moved back.," Boyer said.

Lee and Boyer are passing their knowledge onto new hires out of college like Lizz Elliott.

“I was one of the first people that interviewed, actually. I was really excited," Elliott said.

“You’re pretty young, what is it like to work with quite experienced workers?" Reporter Autumn Pitchure asked.

"It's fantastic, there is an absolute wealth of knowledge here at Palisades, and I am eager to tap into it," Elliott said.

Holtec has hired 100 employees since the end of 2023.

Nick Culp, Senior Manager for Government Affairs, says the company's still looking to recruit 500 more employees into its high paying positions.

“We are talking to local colleges, community colleges, trades schools, to not only support the restart but to create a talent pipeline for the future," Culp said.

“It’s extreme full circle where you get to see the excitement and motivation these young people are bringing when they are hired," Lee said.

Holtec International hopes to have the plant back up and running by by the end of 2025.

Before that happens, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has to conduct in-depth assessments on the equipment.

The NRC told News Channel 3 they are in no rush and want to make sure it's safe before the plant reopens.

The plant has already received $2 billion in federal and state funds.