The Palisades Power Plant, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, was once considered a relic of a bygone era when nuclear energy was hailed as the future. Situated in Covert, Michigan, approximately 70 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, the reactor ceased operations in May 2022 after more than 40 years of service. This closure was part of a broader trend of reactor shutdowns across the U.S., driven by the competitive pressures of cheap natural gas and the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources. Nuclear power has also long been controversial, with concerns over waste disposal and the risks of radiation leaks. 

However, Palisades is now set to make history as the first U.S. reactor to reopen after being decommissioned. Support for nuclear energy is growing across the political spectrum, with lawmakers, technology companies, and utilities increasingly viewing it as a critical source of reliable, carbon-free energy to meet rising electricity demand and reduce emissions. Holtec International, the plant’s private owner, plans to restart operations by the end of 2025, backed by up to $1.5 billion in loans from the Department of Energy and $300 million in grants from the state of Michigan. 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is currently reviewing the plans to reopen Palisades. If successful, the plant could serve as a model for reviving other decommissioned reactors, such as Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. Kelly Trice, president of Holtec, emphasized that restarting a reactor can be more cost-effective and faster than building a new one. He also noted that Palisades could bridge the gap to the company’s small modular reactor program, which aims to nearly double the plant’s power generation by 2030. 

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has made reopening Palisades a priority to support the state’s goal of producing all its energy from clean sources by 2040. The restart of Palisades could mark a turning point for the nuclear industry, offering a pathway to meet the growing electricity demand driven by data centers, artificial intelligence, and the electrification of vehicles and the broader economy. While nuclear energy remains the most reliable source of power, building new plants has proven to be slow and costly. The revival of Palisades may offer a more viable alternative to meet future energy needs. 

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