Palisades back in operation status, owner Holtec says

The Palisades Nuclear Plant in west Michigan to closer to reopening after transitioning from decommissioning to operations status in what the owner called a “historic first” move to restart a closed nuclear plant in the United States.

The move follows the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval in July of licensing requests, the plant’s owner announced Tuesday. There remain other licensing conditions to meet.

The announcement means Palisades is authorized to receive nuclear fuel and restart the plant “once allowable conditions are met,” Holtec International said in a release, calling the move a “historic first” restart of a decommissioned nuclear power plant in the United States. The plant under its previous owner shut down in 2022.

“With this transition, Palisades is now authorized to receive nuclear fuel and restart the plant once allowable conditions are met …” Holtec said. “The plant’s Emergency Plan is fully active, supported by a trained and engaged Emergency Response Organization, which completed its FEMA/NRC-graded exercise with local and state partners last month.

“These steps position Palisades squarely in the final phase of restart preparations, as inspections, testing, and maintenance continue under rigorous independent federal oversight.”

The NRC in July authorized Holtec to load fuel at the Covert Township plant. The commission also approved Holtec’s request to reinstate programs in place prior to the plant shutdown in 2022, such as its emergency and security plans and inspection programs.

Florida-based Holtec bought Palisades after it was closed by Entergy Nuclear, the former owner, in 2022, and raced to launch a plan to restart the plant on the shore of Lake Michigan.

The NRC approval still left several licensing requirements before the plant can start up under the original operating license, which expires in 2031.

Holtec has said it plans by 2030 to build the U.S.’s first small modular reactors at the site.