How a shuttered power plant in Michigan could pave the way for more nuclear energy

The Palisades Power Plant in Covert, Michigan, may become the first nuclear reactor in the US to restart operations. Holtec International, the plant’s owner, plans to reopen it in late 2025, pending approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Holtec also intends to expand the plant in 2030 with small modular reactors (SMRs), which could accelerate the deployment of nuclear power. The Palisades Power Plant shut down in May 2022 after operating for over 40 years. Its potential reopening is seen as a milestone for the US nuclear industry and could serve as a model for other closed plants.