The proposal to restart one unit of the infamous plant, which suffered a partial meltdown in 1979, still requires federal, state, and local approvals.
A proposal from Constellation Energy and Microsoft to restart a unit of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant faces a series of regulatory hurdles before the project could become a reality.
According to a Reuters article, Unit 1 of the plant was retired in 2019 for financial reasons. “Constellation plans to spend about $1.6 billion to revive the plant, which it expects to come online by 2028.” Last year, nuclear plants produced almost one-fifth of total U.S. electricity.
“A relaunch of Three Mile Island, which had a separate unit suffer a partial-meltdown in 1979 in one of the biggest industrial accidents in the country's history, still requires federal, state and local approvals,” the article notes. Constellation has not yet filed an application to restart the plant, but a deal with Microsoft signals momentum.
Tech companies are eyeing nuclear energy as one way to meet the rapidly growing demand for energy for data centers and artificial technology applications. Under its deal with Constellation, Microsoft will buy power from the Three Mile Island plant for 20 years. Microsoft also recently signed a similar deal with Washington-based fusion company Helion, while a deal between Amazon and Talen Energy is being challenged by a group of utilities who allege that the deal could reduce the reliability of the grid or raise costs for consumers.
FULL STORY: Microsoft deal propels Three Mile Island restart, with key permits still needed
High-Voltage Power Lines Awaken the German NIMBY
Never mind that the lines are needed to carry renewable energy from wind turbines in the north to industries in the south to meet the nation's formidable carbon reduction policies. Public health and property values come first for some neighbors.
Integrating Human Rights Into Energy and Extractive Sector Transitions
Why just transition efforts must move beyond economic considerations by embedding human rights principles into business practices to ensure equitable, transparent, and accountable outcomes for affected communities and workers.
Bringing Community Voices Into Renewable Energy Planning
The MIT Renewable Energy Clinic helps coastal communities navigate the complexities of offshore wind development through neutral, inclusive engagement that surfaces local concerns and supports fair decision-making.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie