nuclear-news

Microsoft deal propels Three Mile Island restart, with key permits still needed

By Reuters, September 21, 2024

Sept 20 (Reuters) – Constellation Energy (CEG.O), opens new tab and Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab have signed a power deal to help resurrect a unit of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania in what would be the first-ever restart of its kind, the companies said on Friday.

Key regulatory permits for the plant’s new life, however, haven’t been filed, regulators say.

Big tech has led to a sudden surge in U.S. electricity demand for data centers needed to expand technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. ……………………………………..

Power from the plant would be used to offset Microsoft’s data center electricity use, the companies said.

A relaunch of Three Mile Island, which had a separate unit suffer a partial-meltdown in 1979 in one of the biggest industrial accidents in the country’s history, still requires federal, state and local approvals.

Constellation has yet to file an application with federal nuclear regulators to restart the plant.

“It’s up to Constellation to lay out its rationale for justifying restart, so we’re prepared to engage with the company on next steps,” said Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) spokesperson Scott Burnell.

Constellation said it expected the NRC review process to be completed in 2027.

BILLION DOLLAR BET

The deal would help enable a revival of Unit 1 of the five-decades-old facility in Pennsylvania that was retired in 2019 due to economic reasons. Unit 2, which had the meltdown, will not be restarted.  https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/constellation-inks-power-supply-deal-with-microsoft-2024-09-20/

September 22, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | technology, USA