Three Mile Island, the site of the worst commercial nuclear accident in U.S. history, is on track to restart its Unit One reactor by 2027. The plant, located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is being revived under a 20-year agreement with Microsoft and Constellation Energy, transforming it into the Crane Clean Energy Center.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently toured the facility and highlighted the job creation and energy production benefits of the project. "This restart will safely take advantage of existing infrastructure while creating thousands of energy jobs," Shapiro said. The reopening is part of a $16 billion deal with Microsoft to power its AI data centers, signaling a significant step in Pennsylvania's energy strategy.
The plant's revival is ahead of schedule, with hiring and equipment procurement progressing rapidly. The facility is already more than 64% staffed, and significant technical milestones have been reached. The reopening will support at least 650 permanent jobs and hundreds more during the recommissioning process.
While some oppose nuclear power, many see the plant's reopening as a move toward a cleaner energy future. "Folks shouldn’t sleep on nuclear," Shapiro noted, emphasizing its role in Pennsylvania's energy portfolio. The Crane Clean Energy Center is expected to help meet growing energy demands, driven by data centers and AI technologies.
Microsoft's involvement underscores the importance of abundant energy for tech industry growth. The plant's reopening is seen as a crucial step in achieving energy independence and supporting economic growth in Pennsylvania.