What Does It Take to Reopen a Nuclear Power Plant?
In the United States, President Trump aims to expand the country’s nuclear power capacity by developing new projects and restoring old reactors. However, restarting disused reactors is not as simple as just turning them back on, as rigorous safety standards must be considered. In May 2025, President Trump published an executive order entitled “Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base”, in which…
The Trump administration aims to increase U.S. nuclear power capacity by restoring old reactors or creating new ones. However, reactivating decommissioned nuclear plants is a complex process involving stringent safety standards. In May 2025, President Trump introduced an executive order to commence construction of 10 new large reactors, adding 5 gigawatts of power to existing nuclear plants by 2030.
Prior to the 2022 shutdown, the Palisades Nuclear Plant, owned by Holtec International, produced 789 megawatts of electricity and was expected to be retired permanently. Despite this, Holtec decided to attempt a restart due to prior lack of nuclear plant operation experience. The company encountered numerous challenges, such as extensive equipment corrosion, supply chain disruptions, and the need for new valves, making the process more difficult than anticipated.
Holtec's general manager, Jeff Borah, admitted that the lack of thorough planning before starting work was a significant issue. Nevertheless, Holtec has established a deadline of March 2027 to meet, with plans to load fuel into the reactor from September. The success of this project has encouraged other firms like Constellation Energy and NextEra to engage in recommissioning nuclear plants.
The Constellation Energy project at the Three Mile Island site, which had no damage, is expected to resume operation next year due to the company's prior experience operating the facility. The Trump administration has provided billions in funding to support nuclear reactor recommissioning, but safety and cost concerns remain. Critics, like Don't Waste Michigan's Michael J. Keegan, argue that repairing old reactors should not be prioritized over developing new ones, as the process is costly and time-consuming.
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