Palisades

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
Palisades Photo

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:

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].

Additional Information

Biden to offer $1.5-billion loan to restart Michigan nuclear power plant

January 31, 2024

Biden to offer $1.5-billion loan to restart Michigan nuclear power plantThe Biden administration is poised to loan US$1.5 billion to restart a closed Michigan nuclear power plant. Find out more.

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The Palisades Nuclear Plant takes small steps toward decommissioning

January 9, 2024

The Palisades Nuclear Plant takes small steps toward decommissioning Holtec International is still pushing to recommission the site.

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Community shows support of Palisades nuclear plant’s plan to double capacity by 2030

December 6, 2023

Community shows support of Palisades nuclear plant’s plan to double capacity by 2030 Van Buren County’s Palisades Nuclear Power Plant that shut down IN 2022 after over 50 years up in running is pending a decision from the U.S. Department of Ener

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Palisades owners plan two more Michigan nuclear reactors

December 6, 2023

Palisades owners plan two more Michigan nuclear reactors | Bridge Michigan Holtec International hopes to bring the small modular reactors online by 2030, but will first need to secure permits and overcome financial challenges that have stymied efforts to commercialize the nascent technology.

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Holtec signs PPA aimed at restarting Palisades nuclear plant

September 12, 2023

Holtec signs PPA aimed at restarting Palisades nuclear plant The fate of the shuttered plant still hinges on financial support from the federal government.

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Report: Palisades closure poses $259 million economic loss

August 30, 2023

Report: Palisades closure poses $259 million economic loss COVERT – While Holtec International is still looking to repower Palisades Nuclear Plant, plans are progressing in Van Buren County to mitigate the economic loss from the plant’s closure in

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Van Buren County sees big impact from Palisades Nuclear Power Plant decommissioning

August 30, 2023

Van Buren County to see big impact from Palisades Nuclear Power Plant decommissioning We’re learning just how big of an impact the Palisades nuclear power plant had on the local community.According to a new report, the plant contributed to around

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Funding to support Palisades restart included in state budget

June 30, 2023

Funding to support Palisades restart included in state budget The recently approved state budget includes $150 million to support the reopening of the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert Township.

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Holtec to make Palisades restart decision in July

May 24, 2023

Holtec to make Palisades restart decision in July COVERT – Holtec International, owner of Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, expects to know by July whether it will receive funding from both the Department of Energy and the Michigan Legislature to restart the shuttered plant. Holtec officials recently met with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to discuss publicly […]

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Company seeks first-time restart of shuttered nuclear plant

April 26, 2023

Company seeks first-time restart of shuttered nuclear plant TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A company that tears down closed nuclear power plants wants to do in Michigan what has never been done in the U.S.: restore a dead one to life. Holtec Decommissioning International bought the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station last June for the stated purpose […]

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