Constellation Energy's Plan for Three Mile Island

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Constellation Energy is advocating for the restoration of the operating license for its Three Mile Island nuclear power plant during the first public meeting with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Constellation recently announced a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), aimed at reopening the Unit 1 reactor at Three Mile Island. The company is also seeking to extend the plant's operational life and plans to rename it the Crane Clean Energy Center.

Three Mile Island, situated in Pennsylvania, is infamously known for the 1979 partial meltdown of its Unit 2 reactor, which led to the largest nuclear accident in U.S. history.

Unit 1 was shut down in 2019 for economic reasons, 15 years ahead of its license expiration. After conducting initial tests this year, Constellation determined the reactor could be financially and physically restored.

Trevor Worth, the plant manager, stated at the NRC meeting, "We understand how we shut it down and we have a good idea of how we are going to restart this."

Historically, no nuclear power plant has ever been restarted after retirement. The 835-megawatt reactor is projected to resume operations in 2028, supplying power to Microsoft's regional data center.

Restoration efforts for Three Mile Island are estimated to cost at least $1.6 billion and will require thousands of workers. However, this plan still needs licensing modifications and permits. Local activists have pledged to oppose the project, citing safety and environmental concerns.

According to the National Environmental Policy Act, the NRC must complete an environmental assessment in the final year before the restart. The plant will also require various environmental permits, covering air emissions and water pollutants.