The Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert, Mich., reached a key milestone in its planned restart. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a final environmental assessment concluding that restarting the plant would have no significant environmental impact.

This decision moves the project one step closer to restarting operations. Under the leadership of Holtec International, efforts are well underway to bring the 800-megawatt plant back online to help meet growing demand for carbon-free baseload electricity.

“Palisades is vital to Michigan’s electric reliability,” said Eric Baker, President & CEO of Wolverine Power Cooperative. “Nuclear provides reliable, carbon-free power, and this partnership helps ensure our members have access to affordable, dependable energy for years to come.”

Holtec spokesperson Nick Culp called the NRC’s final report “a major milestone on our regulatory path to reauthorize plant operations and return 800 megawatts of safe, clean, and around-the-clock generation back to the U.S. grid.” Culp noted the project remains on track and on budget, with a targeted restart in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“The Palisades restart comes at a critical time as our country works to bolster its domestic energy security and meet growing demand for baseload electricity,” Culp said. “Nuclear is a vital piece of our nation’s energy strategy. With the restart of Palisades and the future deployment of new reactors, the U.S. is reaffirming its role as the global leader in nuclear power.”

Wolverine Power Cooperative is proud to be part of this historic project, reinforcing our commitment to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our members.