Nuclear

Corrosion cracking at Palisades nuclear plant exceeds previous estimates, NRC says

The Michigan plant could represent the first recommissioning of a retired nuclear power plant in U.S. history.
Corrosion cracking at Palisades nuclear plant exceeds previous estimates, NRC says
Palisades Operators train on the reconstituted Control Room Simulator in preparation for the plant's expected restart. (Credit: Holtec)

Stress corrosion cracking in steam generators at the Palisades Nuclear Plant “far exceeded estimates based on previous operating history,” according to documents newly made public by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

The development was first reported by Reuters. Holtec International plans to restart the 800-MW nuclear generating station in Covert Township, Michigan. Palisades, which ceased operations in May 2022, would be brought back online and upgraded to produce power until at least 2051.

However, a lot of work remains to restore and revive the plant.

According to a summary of a call between Holtec and NRC officials last month, 1,163 steam generator tubes had indications of stress cracking during inspections this summer. The call summary was made public by NRC this week.

Patrick O’Brien, a Holtec spokesperson, told Reuters the results of the inspections “were not entirely unpredicted” as the standard system “layup process”, or procedure for maintaining the units, was not followed when the plant went into shutdown.

Palisades would represent the first recommissioning of a retired nuclear power plant in U.S. history. The plant could restart as early as August 2025, according to a July update from the top U.S. nuclear regulatory official. 

This week the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the closing of a $1.52 billion loan to help finance the restoration and resumption of Palisades. Holtec had applied for the loan in early 2023. The effort likely wouldn’t happen without it.

In addition to the main 800 MW reactor, Holtec intends to use the Palisades site as the location for its first two small modular reactor units, which would potentially add an additional 800 MW of generation capacity at the site.

Support has been especially vocal for re-opening Palisades. In May 2023 a bipartisan group of Michigan lawmakers that make up a newly-formed nuclear energy caucus wrote a letter to Gov. Gretchen

Whitmer expressing “full support” for the reopening of the plant. Whitmer herself has supported reopening Palisades as more solar and wind power infrastructure is built out.

Palisades began commercial operation in 1971.