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Holtec applies to restart shuttered Palisades nuclear plant
Holtec applies to restart shuttered Palisades plantSubtitle:
The Palisades plant in Michigan could become the first successfully restarted nuclear power plant in the USA following Holtec International's submission of a filing with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to formally begin the process of seeking reauthorisation of power operations at the plant, which was shut down in May 2022.
Excerpts:
Holtec said the filing follows a series of public meetings with NRC staff to lay out the path to reauthorise the repowering of Palisades within the NRC's existing regulatory framework.
"Our licensing submittal is a significant step in exploring the potential for Palisades to continue contributing to the region’s energy and economic needs, while adhering to the highest safety and regulatory standards," said Jean Fleming, Holtec International Vice President of Licensing, Regulatory Affairs and Probabilistic Safety Analysis. "We understand the importance of nuclear power in our nation's energy mix and the critical role it plays in providing safe, reliable, carbon-free electricity here in Michigan.
"Palisades' safety and operational performance met the industry's highest standards when it was taken offline last year. Its systems and equipment remain well maintained and in excellent material condition. This licensing submittal is the first of a series of submittals intended to return Palisades to full operation."
Palisades, a single-unit power plant, began commercial operation in 1971. Entergy announced in 2016 its plan to close the plant, with the NRC approving in 2021 the transfer of the licence from Entergy to Holtec for the purposes of decommissioning it. The 805 MWe pressurised water reactor was removed from service - after 50 years - by Entergy on 20 May last year, and defuelled by 10 June...
...On 31 July, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law the State of Michigan's Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which provides USD150 million in funding for the plant's restart...
"Our licensing submittal is a significant step in exploring the potential for Palisades to continue contributing to the region’s energy and economic needs, while adhering to the highest safety and regulatory standards," said Jean Fleming, Holtec International Vice President of Licensing, Regulatory Affairs and Probabilistic Safety Analysis. "We understand the importance of nuclear power in our nation's energy mix and the critical role it plays in providing safe, reliable, carbon-free electricity here in Michigan.
"Palisades' safety and operational performance met the industry's highest standards when it was taken offline last year. Its systems and equipment remain well maintained and in excellent material condition. This licensing submittal is the first of a series of submittals intended to return Palisades to full operation."
Palisades, a single-unit power plant, began commercial operation in 1971. Entergy announced in 2016 its plan to close the plant, with the NRC approving in 2021 the transfer of the licence from Entergy to Holtec for the purposes of decommissioning it. The 805 MWe pressurised water reactor was removed from service - after 50 years - by Entergy on 20 May last year, and defuelled by 10 June...
...On 31 July, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law the State of Michigan's Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which provides USD150 million in funding for the plant's restart...