Pitchure reported in early June 2024 that Holtec International is including the community as they power forward with plans to reopen the shuttered Nuclear Power Plant in Covert. The company hosted an open house, promising community members full transparency.
Palisades Nuclear Power Plant located in Covert, Mich. The plant
was closed down in May of 2022. Holtec International owners are
pushing to reopen the plant. (Autumn Pitchure/ WWMT).
The plant was running for half a century before shutting down in May, 2022. Ever since the shutdown, Holtec has been working to get the plant fired back up. The restart lies in the hands of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission who has to deem it safe before a restart.
Dozens of community members attended Tuesday's open house.
“This is reliable carbon free energy that we will need moving forward," Nick Culp, Senior Manager of Government Affairs said.
Holtec International purchased the 432 acre plant in 2022 when it decommissioned, Culp said it was too valuable to go to waste.
“This has been a gem of Southwest Michigan for a long time,” Culp said.
A blend of residents in support and those with reservations voiced their opinions Tuesday.
“We are concerned about the waste product that is sitting on the dune right next to Lake Michigan," Covert resident Jim Scott said. "I think it is dangerous , I think it is a plant that has had a history of problems.”
Culp said Holtec hosted the open house with the hopes of clearing up concerns.
“It’s got a tremendous positive track record of safety and reliability," Culp said.
Palisades Nuclear Power Plant located in Covert, Michigan. The plant was closed down in May
of 2022. Holtec International owners are pushing to reopen the plant. Jan. 31, 2024.
(Autumn Pitchure/ WWMT).
The plant is required to pass safety guidelines put in place by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC is assessing equipment on a weekly basis, with no set timeline for completion.
“We have had an inspection in our training room, control center which went and we will continue down as they look at every system and piece of equipment," Culp said. "What they say goes so when we go in there and find something we will replace it.”
While Holtec waits for approval, they’re recruiting employees, already hiring 160 since announcing a restart, with 400 in total. Former employees have even come out of retirement to support the reopen. The company is look to hire approximately 200 additional employees. According to Culp, the average salary is $117,000.
'Historic opportunity': Palisades Nuclear Power Plant owner discusses steps to reopen Jim Scott attended the open house. The Covert resident lives a mile and a half away from the plant and feels it will benefit the economy.
“You always need more jobs, good paying jobs with good insurance," Scott said. “It helps the tax space for the schools, police and fire departments.”
Holtec International hopes to have the plant up and running by the end of 2025, with approval from the NRC.
Additional Article:
- A look inside Palisades Nuclear Power Plant (here).
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