Michigan nuclear plant prepares to restart amid growing support and local pushback

Palisades nuclear plant in southwest Michigan is on track to become the first fully shuttered U.S. commercial reactor to restart, thanks to bipartisan backing and major federal and state investment.

Francisco "A.J." Camacho and Daviel Schulman report for E&E News.

In short:

• The Palisades plant, closed since 2022, is set to reopen this fall with $1.8 billion in government funding, a new power purchase agreement, and strong support from local officials and residents.
• Environmental and Indigenous activists oppose the restart, citing risks from aging infrastructure, radioactive waste, and a lack of consultation with local tribes.
• The plant’s revival may set a global precedent and is being closely watched by operators of other shuttered reactors, including Three Mile Island and Duane Arnold.

Key quote:

“Not only is it making the people sick, it’s making the land sick too.”

— Jesse Deer in Water, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and member of the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition

Why this matters:

As energy demand grows and pressure mounts to decarbonize the grid, nuclear power is gaining traction as a low-emissions option. But reviving decades-old reactors, like Palisades, raises questions about safety, environmental justice, and the long-term handling of radioactive waste. While newer technologies, like small modular reactors, are touted as safer, none are yet proven in commercial use. Indigenous communities often bear the brunt of siting decisions, without the opportunity to offer meaningful input. The Great Lakes, already facing pollution and warming threats, now face renewed scrutiny over nuclear activity along their shores. What happens in Michigan could shape U.S. nuclear policy and investment for years to come.

Related: Nuclear energy’s clean image leaves out the radioactive baggage