Trump Admin Approves Loan Reopens Michigan Nuclear Plant

President Donald Trump and his administration have been busy in their first few months in office, working to implement their policies and change life for Americans. There has been lots of support for some of the things they have accomplished but there is also some backlash for other things they have done. At the end of the day, that's what it's like with every president.

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The Trump Administration has made another move that will affect the people of Michigan in multiple ways. The U.S. Department of Energy announced that they would be distributing a second loan to Holtec to put towards reopening their currently decommissioned Palisades nuclear power plant.

The Palisades nuclear plant currently sits unused in Covert but this effort to help fund a resurgence is a clear sign that this administration is pushing the effort started by Biden and his crew. Holtec will receive nearly $57 million of an up to $1.52 billion federal loan guarantee to help them restart the plant, which would be the first time in U.S history.

The Palisades ceased operations in 2022 after running seamlessly for over 40 years, but they weren't planning to be shutdown forever. In fact, conversations of restarting were happening as the decommission was finishing because they feel nuclear power and its high energy output free of carbon emissions help with greenhouse gas reduction limits and combating human-driven climate change.

Although President Trump pulled out of the international Paris Climate Accords and their greenhouse gas reduction goals, expanded nuclear power is a main focus in Trump's administration to make America a country that is self-reliant for energy. The Palisades plant would provide 800 megawatts of electricity for almost 800,000 homes.

In addition to the electricity provided for these homes, there will also be approximately 600 new jobs available. Holtec officials are hoping to have the plant reopened by the end of this year but that still requires licensing approvals from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.