NRC staff to hear Holtec’s plans for Palisades steam generator in New Year 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff planned to meet Jan. 9 with representatives of Holtec International to discuss regulatory relief related to aging steam generators at the Michigan nuclear plant the company wants to restart next year.

The two steam generators have drawn the attention of activists opposed to restarting the Palisades Nuclear Generating station, which closed in 2022 but could, following a $1-billion Department of Energy loan and $300 million in aid from Michigan, reopen by September, Holtec has said.

The company has already acknowledged that it might need to replace one or both steam generators. In a grant application, obtained by an anti-nuclear group via the Freedom of Information Act, Holtec said steam generator replacement at Palisades could cost more than $500 million: about 40% of the government financial aid the company has in hand.

Holtec also needs regulatory relief from the Nuclear Regulatory Commision. That will be the main topic of conversation on the first Thursday of 2025, according to a public meeting schedule NRC posted online.

Parts of the meeting, which was slated for 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern time, will be closed to the public. The portions that are open to the public will take place at NRC’s headquarters in Rockville, Md., and online, according to the commission’s meeting notice.