The former Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant will restart its Unit 1 reactor as part of a deal with Microsoft, Constellation Energy Corp. announced Friday morning. “Unit 1 has a great history. This unit has been in operation for 45 years, with great performance and reliability,” said Dave Malchesky, Constellation Community Relations Manager. The Unit 1 reactor was shut down five years ago for economic reasons. The restart comes after Microsoft signed a 20-year contract with Constellation to power Microsoft’s data centers. The agreement paves the way for what the companies are calling the Crane Clean Energy Center. Constellation says the refurbished plant is expected to start operating in 2028. But some local residents and watchdog groups believe public health and safety concerns need to be addressed. “I think there’s no doubt the governor, the Legislature and labor are in full support of this, but I think it’s being rushed without proper inspection and oversight,” Eric Epstein said. He is a past president of Three Mile Island Alert, a group that promotes safe energy alternatives to nuclear power. Local leaders acknowledged that some residents’ reactions have been muted, but noted that there could be a significant increase in tax revenue that comes with a restart. “We’re very positive about a restart here, and we know there are concerns from a lot of residents who’ve lived here since the accident and are really concerned about safety,” said Londonderry Township Supervisor Anna Dale. Several agencies must sign off on the restart. TMI Restart Plan Constellation plans to invest heavily in restoring: The plant’s turbines Generators Main power transformers Cooling and control systems Restarting the reactor requires: Approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission A thorough safety and environmental review Permits from relevant state and local agencies Constellation will apply for a license renewal to extend the plant’s operation until at least 2054. Company executives release statement Constellation President and CEO Joe Dominguez | “Powering industries critical to our nation’s global economic and technological competitiveness, like data centers, requires carbon-free, reliable and abundant energy 24/7. Nuclear power plants are the only energy source that can consistently deliver on that promise. … Before its early closure due to poor economics, the plant was one of the safest and most reliable nuclear plants on the grid. We look forward to seeing it return as an economic engine for Pennsylvania with a new name and renewed mission. We are especially honored to name this new plant after our former CEO, Chris Crain, who was a passionate advocate for our company and dedicated his entire career to the safe and reliable operation of our nation’s nuclear fleet. We will continue that tradition with the Crain Clean Energy Center.” Microsoft Energy Vice President Bobby Hollis | “This agreement marks Microsoft’s first carbon-free, renewable energy plant in Pennsylvania. This is an important milestone in our efforts to help decarbonize the electric grid in support of our commitment to go carbon negative. Microsoft continues to work with energy providers to develop carbon-free energy sources to meet the capacity and reliability needs of the electric grid. ”TMI History: America’s Worst Nuclear Accident Unit 2 at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in Dauphin County partially melted on March 28, 1979. A combination of equipment failures, design-related issues, and operator error caused the partial meltdown. The accident prompted major changes in emergency response planning, operator training, radiation protection, and other areas of nuclear power plant operations. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission increased its oversight in the wake of the accident. Unit 2 was permanently shut down following the accident. A formal cleanup was completed in December 1993. Below: Archived video from 1979 – Met-Ed officials announcing the partial meltdown.
Londonderry Township, Pennsylvania —
Constellation Energy Corporation announced Friday morning that it will restart the former Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant’s Unit 1 reactor as part of a deal with Microsoft.
“We have a great tradition here at Unit 1. This unit has been in operation for 45 years and has a history of great performance and reliability,” said Dave Malchesky, Constellation’s regional relations manager.
The Unit 1 reactor was shut down five years ago for financial reasons, and its restart comes after Microsoft signed a 20-year contract with Constellation to power its data centers.
The agreement paves the way for what the companies are calling the Crane Clean Energy Center.
Constellation says the refurbished plant is expected to be operational in 2028.
But some local residents and watchdog groups believe there are public health and safety concerns that must be addressed.
“I have no doubt the governor, the Legislature and labor are fully supportive of this, but I think they’re moving too quickly without proper testing and oversight,” Eric Epstein said.
He is the former president of Three Mile Island Alert, a group that promotes safer energy alternatives to nuclear power.
Local leaders acknowledged that some residents were reluctant to respond, but noted that a restart could bring a big boost in tax revenue.
“We’re very optimistic about reopening here and we know there are concerns from a lot of residents who have lived here since the accident and are really concerned about safety,” Londonderry Township Supervisor Anna Dale said.
The plan requires approval from numerous agencies, including the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
TMI Restart Plan
Constellation plans to make significant investments in restoring the plant’s turbines, generators, main power transformers, and cooling and control systems. Restarting the reactor requires approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, thorough safety and environmental reviews, and permits from relevant state and local government agencies. Constellation plans to apply for a license renewal to extend the plant’s operation until at least 2054.
Company executives make statement
Constellation President and CEO Joe Dominguez | “Powering industries that are critical to our global economic and technological competitiveness, like data centers, requires carbon-free, reliable and abundant energy 24/7. Nuclear power plants are the only energy source that can consistently deliver on that promise. … Before its early closure due to poor economics, the plant was one of the safest and most reliable nuclear plants on the grid. We look forward to restoring it as an economic engine for Pennsylvania with a new name and a new mission. We are especially honored to name this new plant after our former CEO, Chris Crain, who was a fierce advocate for our company and dedicated his entire career to the safe and reliable operation of our nation’s nuclear fleet. We will continue that tradition with the Crain Clean Energy Center.”
Bobby Hollis, Vice President of Energy at Microsoft | “This agreement marks a major milestone in Microsoft’s efforts to help decarbonize the power grid in support of our carbon negative efforts. Microsoft will continue to work with electricity suppliers to develop carbon-free energy sources to meet the capacity and reliability needs of the power grid.”
History of TMI: America’s Worst Nuclear Accident
On March 28, 1979, Unit 2 at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in Dauphin County experienced a partial meltdown. A combination of equipment failures, design-related issues, and operator error caused the partial meltdown. The accident led to major changes in emergency response planning, operator training, radiation protection, and other areas of nuclear power plant operations. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission increased its oversight in response to the accident. Unit 2 was permanently shut down after the accident. Cleanup efforts were officially completed in December 1993.
Below: Archive video, 1979 – Met Department of Education officials announce partial meltdown.
