Three Mile Island powering back up

(The Center Square) – Three Mile Island came out of retirement on Friday, exactly five years after mounting economic pressure and shifting energy demand forced the infamous Pennsylvania nuclear generation plant to shut down.

Constellation Energy announced that Microsoft will buy 835 megawatts of energy from the facility to power the company’s data centers spread throughout PJM, a regional power grid that serves 65 million people in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Doing so will keep the plant operational through 2054.

Joe Dominguez, president and CEO of Constellation, said nuclear plants are the “only” energy sources capable of offering carbon-free energy 24/7. The company said the new Crane Clean Energy Center will honor the legacy of Chris Crane, former CEO of Exelon Generation and staunch advocate of nuclear power and carbon-free energy.

Exelon was Constellation’s parent company until 2022. Crane died in April.

“Before it was prematurely shuttered due to poor economics, this plant was among the safest and most reliable nuclear plants on the grid, and we look forward to bringing it back with a new name and a renewed mission to serve as an economic engine for Pennsylvania,” Dominguez said.

TMI, located in Londonderry Township, Pa., made global headlines when its second nuclear reactor partially melted down in 1979. The facility’s first reactor remained operational and powered 800,000 homes for another 40 years.

Constellation says the new facility will provide 3,400 direct and indirect jobs and generate $3 billion in state and federal taxes.

“This is a valuable opportunity to invest in clean, carbon-free and affordable power – on the heels of the hottest year in Earth’s history,” said state Rep. Tom Mehaffie, R-Hershey. “This will transform the local economy and presents a rare opportunity to power our economy with reliable clean energy that we can count on.”

Mehaffie has been vocal about restoring TMI’s generating capabilities as the state ramps up efforts to decarbonize its power sector.  Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed to require 35% clean energy in the state, nuclear makes up most of that — 32% in 2022.

The governor said Friday the plan strengthens “Pennsylvania’s legacy as a national energy leader.”

“My administration will continue to work to cut energy costs and ensure the reliability of our energy grid so that Pennsylvanians can have access to affordable power made right here in Pennsylvania for years to come – and the Crane Clean Energy Center will help us achieve those goals,” he said.