Covert Township, Michigan, October 29, 2026: U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited Holtec International’s Palisades Nuclear Power Plant today, celebrating the extraordinary progress toward America’s First Nuclear Comeback. The historic undertaking is charting a new course for American nuclear energy, demonstrating how the nation’s existing nuclear infrastructure can help meet growing electricity demand while strengthening energy security and grid reliability.
Joined by U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga; Under Secretary for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Glen Smith; Gregory A. Beard, Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing; and Holtec President and CEO Dr. Kris Singh, Secretary Wright toured the plant before joining a large gathering of Palisades employees, skilled trades personnel, and government and community leaders for a special program. The visit recognized the extraordinary determination of the Palisades workforce and the federal, state, and local partnerships helping make this unprecedented undertaking possible.
“Palisades is arguably the most famous nuclear plant in the world. We feel the weight of the world on our shoulders, knowing that the success of Palisades carries profound implications for the future of nuclear energy,” said Dr. Singh. “The resurgence of nuclear power is indispensable to ushering in a new era of energy abundance while protecting our environment for future generations.”
Supported by a U.S. Department of Energy loan, funding from the State of Michigan, and significant investment by Holtec, the restart will restore approximately 805 megawatts of reliable, baseload electricity while preserving hundreds of high-quality jobs in Southwest Michigan. The project is also underpinned by long-term power purchase agreements with Wolverine Power Cooperative and Hoosier Energy, whose early commitment and partnership were instrumental in making the historic restart possible.
The Palisades team continues its progression toward the plant’s return to service, including the completion of fuel loading, required testing, inspections, and operational readiness activities. Palisades will resume operations when all required work is complete and all applicable U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements and industry standards are met.
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