Three Mile Island seeks a new chapter in nuclear energy

Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island plant, site of the 1979 nuclear meltdown, is set to resume operation as Constellation Energy partners with Microsoft to meet rising electricity demands.

Rebecca F. Elliott reports for The New York Times.

In short:

• Constellation Energy plans to restart the undamaged reactor at Three Mile Island by 2028 with Microsoft committed to purchasing its electricity for 20 years.
• This revival signals a shift as tech giants back nuclear energy to meet increasing power needs while aiming to decarbonize.
• Financial and logistical challenges remain, as the nuclear industry faces high costs, past delays, and regulatory complexities.

Key quote:

“It’s an industry with a really substantial burden of proof based on all of the disappointments — all of the very expensive disappointments.”

— Peter A. Bradford, former Nuclear Regulatory Commission member

Why this matters:

With U.S. energy demands on the rise, nuclear power presents a low-carbon option amid growing climate concerns. However, its success depends on overcoming historical setbacks, addressing waste storage challenges and ensuring projects meet budget, safety and timeline goals.