Three Mile Island, the nuclear power plant located near Middletown, Pennsylvania, known for the worst commercial nuclear accident in U.S. history, is set to reopen to supply energy to Microsoft’s data centers, which are integral to the company’s cloud computing and artificial intelligence operations.
Constellation Energy, claiming to be the largest provider of clean, carbon-free energy in America, announced on Friday that it has entered into its largest power purchase agreement ever with Microsoft.
Joe Dominguez, Constellation Energy’s president and CEO, emphasized the need for consistent, carbon-free energy to support crucial industries. He stated, “Nuclear plants are the only energy sources that can reliably deliver on that promise.”
The agreement is expected to create around 3,400 jobs and generate over $3 billion in state and federal taxes, with an anticipated contribution of $16 billion to Pennsylvania’s GDP.
This power purchase deal is set to last for 20 years, with plans for the plant to reopen in 2028. In a tribute to Chris Crane, former CEO of Constellation’s parent company who passed away in April, the plant will be renamed the Crane Clean Energy Center.
Governor Josh Shapiro remarked on the importance of Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy sector, highlighting its role in providing safe, reliable, carbon-free electricity that reduces emissions while fostering economic growth.
Unlike fossil fuel plants, nuclear facilities do not emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
The incident at Three Mile Island occurred on March 28, 1979, when the cooling system of one reactor failed. It is important to note that the reactor slated for reopening was not involved in that accident.
Dominguez highlighted the past reliability of the plant, stating, “Before it was prematurely shuttered due to poor economics, this plant was among the safest and most reliable nuclear plants on the grid. We look forward to bringing it back with a new name and mission to serve as an economic engine for Pennsylvania.”
However, some activists in the state express concerns about potential taxpayer costs associated with the plant’s reopening. Eric Epstein from the watchdog group Three Mile Island Alert questioned the soundness of the investment, saying, “What would be a better investment for our money? We were told: let the marketplace decide. The market decided, and they decided it’s not nuclear.”
The working reactor at Three Mile Island was closed in 2019 following a legislative effort to rescue it that ultimately failed due to competition from cheaper energy sources.
In related news, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates announced a $1 billion investment in a new nuclear power plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming, set to begin construction in June, aimed at powering homes and AI technologies.