State Representative Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, who chairs the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee and the House Nuclear Energy Caucus, issued a statement regarding the announcement that Constellation Energy plans to restart the Three Mile Island Reactor 1 by 2028.
Matzie emphasized Pennsylvania’s status as a net exporter of power generation while highlighting the unprecedented demands facing the state’s power grid. He indicated that the restart of Reactor 1 would not only increase capacity but also provide significant tax revenue and create thousands of high-paying jobs, along with additional positions in supporting industries.
He also noted that Microsoft has agreed to purchase the emissions-free energy from the reactor to power its data centers, which adds to the positive implications of this development.
Matzie expressed his confidence in the permitting process to ensure it receives thorough oversight and called on Constellation and government officials to maintain transparency throughout the process.
The restart is projected to generate over 3,000 direct jobs and contribute more than $3 billion in annual economic activity. Pennsylvania, recognized as the birthplace of the nuclear power industry, has operated its first commercial nuclear power plant since 1957 in Beaver County and currently has eight nuclear reactors that produce one-third of the state’s electricity with zero emissions.