Basic Facts:
- Location: Covert Township, Michigan
- Owner / Operator: Holtec International
- Construction Cost: $800M (2018$)
- Plant Output: 800 MW
- Property Size: 430 acres
- Employees: 650
- Status: Shut Down Scheduled 2022
- Current DTF Balance: $520M (2018$)
- DTF Balance Prior to Decommissioning: $540M (2018$)
- Decommissioning Cost Estimate: $560M (2018$)
- Spent Nuclear Fuel on Site: 695 metric tons
Background
Palisades is an 800MW pressurized water reactor that was built between 1967 and 1970 and received its operating license in 1971. In 2007, the plant received an operating license renewal extending the operating life of the plant to 2031. In 2016, the plant owners announced plans to close the plant in 2018. This decision was later amended and the plant is now scheduled to be shut down in 2022.
Decommissioning
In August of 2018, Entergy announced plans to sell the subsidiary that owns the Palisades Power Plant, after its shutdown and reactor defueling, to a Holtec International subsidiary for decommissioning. The operating license was transferred from Entergy to Holtec International on June 28, 2022.
Socioeconomics
The Palisades Nuclear Plant is located in Van Buren County, Michigan. As of 2016:
- Population: 75,000
- Per Capita Annual Income: $39,000
- Unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted): 5.8%
Palisades nuclear is one of the largest taxpayers in Van Buren County, paying $9.9 million in property taxes in 2016, which comprised 7% of the county’s tax base. The plant provides $67 million in annual wages for its 650 full-time employees.
Contact Information
Economic Development Administration Representative:
- Lee Shirey, Chicago Regional Office, t: (215) 597-8719, e: lshirey@eda.gov
Economic Development District
University Center
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Contact
- Viktoria Mitlyng, Sr. Public Affairs Officer, t: (630) 829-9662, e: viktoria.mitlyng@nrc.gov
- Palisades Nuclear Plant
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 info@decommissioningcollaborative.org.
Additional Information
A tale of two nuclear power plants along Lake Michigan: Extended life and a revival?
A tale of two nuclear power plants along Lake Michigan: Extended life and a revival? | WUWM 89.7 FM – Milwaukee’s NPR
Palisades nuclear plant along Lake Michigan plans for a 2025 comeback, a 1st in the U.S.
Palisades nuclear plant along Lake Michigan plans for a 2025 comeback, a 1st in the U.S. * Michigan Advance On the shores of Lake Michigan at the Palisades nuclear plant, Paul Schultz pushes a button to artificially trip the reactor in a training version of an operation room. The simulation triggers lights blinking on the […]
With Palisades and Three Mile Island units set to restart, could more retired reactors follow?
With Palisades and Three Mile Island units set to restart, could more retired reactors follow? Much depends on the retired plants’ condition, decommissioning status and reactor technology, experts say.
Feds finalize $1.5B for Palisades; Michigan nuclear plant restart seems likely
DOE finalizes loan guarantee to reopen Michigan nuclear plant It comes about a week after Microsoft announced a deal to reactivate a nuclear unit at Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island.
Palisades nuclear relaunch gets more subsidies in Michigan — and more backlash
Palisades nuclear relaunch gets more subsidies in Michigan – and more backlash | Bridge Michigan The federal government will provide more than $600 million to help two rural electricity cooperatives buy money from the nuclear plant. While proponents celebrate, anti-nuclear activists say the money could be better spent elsewhere.
Restart Closed US Nuclear Plants? Only a Few Would Work
Restart Closed US Nuclear Plants? Only a Few Would Work With electricity demand surging across the US, nuclear power advocates want to restart some of the 13 reactors that closed in the last decade, saying their carbon-free energy is needed more than ever.
Groups file petition to stop nuclear plant from reopening along Lake Michigan
Groups file petition to stop nuclear plant from reopening along Lake Michigan Holtec, the company that owns the plant, says restarting would create 600 jobs and offer a carbon-free source of energy for the state.
Can a Closed Nuclear Power Plant From the ’70s Be Brought Back to Life?
https://archive.ph/3qcPF
US nuclear plant unfit for quick resurrection, former lead engineer says
US nuclear plant unfit for quick resurrection, former lead engineer says The first U.S. nuclear plant to ever try reopening after undergoing preparations for permanent closure is not fit to restart anytime soon because it sidestepped important safety work for years before retirement, a former official at the reactor said.
Holtec says it plans to restart closed Palisades nuclear plant next year
Holtec says it plans to restart closed Palisades nuclear plant next year Federal safety inspections have resumed at Lake Michigan nuclear plant.