Big Rock

Basic Facts:

  • Location: Charlevoix, Michigan
  • Owner: Holtec International
  • Total Construction Cost: $230M (2018$)
  • Total Plant Output: 67 MW
  • Property Size: 560 acres
  • Status: Decommissioned
  • Decommissioning Cost: $490M (2018$)
  • Spent Nuclear Fuel on Site: 69 metric tons
Big Rock Photo

Background

Big Rock Point was a 67 MW boiling water reactor on the shores of Lake Michigan near the town of Charlevoix. Construction took place from 1954 to 1962 and the plant began commercial operations in 1963. The plant was permanently shut down in 1997.

Decommissioning

Plant decommissioning commenced in 1997. All spent nuclear fuel was transferred to on-site dry storage facility in 2003 and decommissioning was substantially complete by 2006. As part of its acquisition of the Palisades Nuclear Plant, Entergy also acquired Big Rock Point in 2006. In 2018, as part of its corporate decommissioning strategy, Entergy announced the sale of Big Rock Point (along with other nuclear assets) to Holtec International.

Socioeconomics

Big Rock Point is located in Charlevoix County, Michigan. As of 2016:

  • Population: 26,000
  • Per Capita Annual Income: $48,000
  • Unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted): 5.7%

Contact Information

Economic Development Administration Representative:

Economic Development District

University Center

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Contact

Unless specific costing information has been provided, decommissioning costs were derived from 2017 Decommissioning Funding Status Report.
Information herein obtained from public sources. Corrections are welcome and may be directed to [email protected].

(802) 345-7044

Connect

Blog

Contact

Download our

free report

Discover tools and information for improving project outcomes and
catalyzing economic recovery

Scroll to Top