Three Mile Island to Reopen in 2023 Amid Nuclear Power Demand

The Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, known for the worst reactor accident in U.S. history, is set to reopen to supply clean energy to Microsoft’s AI data centers. Microsoft has committed to purchasing power from the plant for the next 20 years, aiming to decarbonize its energy sources. The plant's Unit 1 reactor will be refurbished and renamed the Crane Clean Energy Center, which is expected to generate enough energy to power over 800,000 homes. The decision to restart the plant follows Constellation's exploration of options for its revival, after Unit 1 was retired five years ago due to economic reasons. The plant previously employed over 600 workers and supported 1,000 craftspeople during refueling outages. The restoration will not only create jobs but is projected to contribute significantly to the local economy, generating $16 billion and over $3 billion in state and federal taxes. The initiative aligns with Microsoft’s commitment to becoming carbon negative and reflects a broader trend among tech companies seeking sustainable energy solutions. The project will be closely monitored by state and federal authorities, ensuring safety and environmental standards are met during the reopening process. Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized the importance of this project for Pennsylvania’s energy landscape, highlighting its potential to strengthen the state’s position as a national energy leader while creating thousands of jobs in the energy sector. The reopening of the plant marks a significant step towards utilizing existing infrastructure to expand nuclear power in the region.