Latest news with #PJM
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Three Mile Island nuclear plant reboot fast-tracked to 2027
The former Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania may restart in 2027, about a year ahead of schedule after being put on a fast track to connect to the regional grid, executives with the plant's owner Constellation Energy said on Wednesday. Constellation struck a deal last September to power Microsoft data centers, paving the way to reopen Three Mile Island, widely known as the site of a partial meltdown in 1979 that chilled the nuclear industry. Constellation's 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft is emblematic of the dramatic lengths Big Tech has been willing to go to fuel its artificial intelligence expansion, which began to intensify a year-and-a-half ago. The reactor re-entering service at Three Mile Island, which is being renamed the Crane Clean Energy Center, was not part of the 1979 accident, and shut in 2019 for economic reasons. 'We made a mistake in shutting down this plant, but we're not here to dwell on the past,' said Constellation CEO Joe Dominguez at an event on Three Mile Island, backed by giant cooling towers and the nuclear plant that will be brought back as Crane. The nuclear building is in similar shape to when it shut in 2019, and since the restart announcement, most of the work has been around planning and hiring, Constellation said. The company has ordered several key items for the restart, including its main transformer and fuel. It has also restored water systems needed to run the plant and completed various infrastructure inspections needed for permitting approvals. At the time of the restart announcement last year, Constellation said it expected the plant to re-open in 2028. Officials with the company had said they expected the process to be slowed by wait times associated with connecting power projects to the regional grid, which is operated by PJM Interconnection. 'When PJM gets this connected, we're going to be ready," Dominguez said on Wednesday. Despite the enthusiasm, nuclear power plant projects have historically been far over budget and behind schedule. No fully shut nuclear power plant has been restarted, but at least one other attempted restart - of the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan - is under way. As the technology industry drives U.S. electricity demand to record highs, nuclear power has broadly seen a resurgence of interest after decades in decline. New York plans to build a new nuclear power plant, which would be one of the first to be constructed in a generation. Hundreds of Constellation workers joined Wednesday's event, along with PJM CEO Manu Asthana and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who pushed for the restart to be fast-tracked for approval through PJM. Power projects can linger in PJM's queue, which is essentially the application and engineering study process to hook up a power plant to the broader grid. PJM's territory spans 13 states and the District of Columbia, covering about 67 million customers. As a way to alleviate some of that bottleneck, particularly as data centers rapidly proliferate on PJM's territory, the country's largest grid operator has fast-tracked its interconnection process for select projects. Crane was the largest of the projects expedited by PJM, Shapiro said. 'I am focused like a laser beam on the future of Pennsylvania and the future runs through places right here like Crane,' he said. More than 400 people have been hired to work at the plant so far, and there are 30 operators who can work in control rooms in training for the reopened plant, according to Dominguez and other Constellation officials. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is expected to visit Crane in July to observe the training process, they said.
Dominion Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Dominion Post
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright visits NETL
dbeard@ MORGANTOWN – U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright toured the National Energy Technology Laboratory Morgantown campus on Tuesday, as part of his ongoing tour of all 17 Department of Energy National Laboratories. He saw the facilities – including the under-construction Computational Science and Engineering Center – met researchers and learned about their projects. He talked about the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' – the budget reconciliation bill working its way through Congress. 'It's critical for the energy world that I work in,' he said. There have been large distortions across the energy market, particularly electricity, and that needs to be reformed. 'Energy is about humans,' he said. 'We want to make people's lives better.' That means more energy, lower cost energy, jobs, and winning the Artificial Intelligence arms race. The bill's reforms on subsidies and penalties are key to getting the system going in the right direction. NETL is devoted to fossil fuel research, and coal and natural gas are the two biggest sources of electricity worldwide, he said. 'The things that are worked on here are big targets for big benefits to humanity.' Wright took time for a Q&A session with the press. The Dominion Post noted that in the 13-state PJM regional energy grid, 40% of New Service Requests are for solar projects, while only 6.7% are for natural gas and none are for coal. In that context, we asked if there is a future for coal. 'The future for coal is long and bright,' he said. It accounts for a third of all the electricity generated on the planet – more than wind and solar combined. And its available day and night. Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, was PJM's peak winter demand day, and gas and coal supplied 70% of the power, wind and solar just 3%. On Monday, in the sun and heat, wind and solar made up just 8%. Answering another question, he said that one of his secretarial powers is stopping the closure of power plants. Some should be retired, but so many have been closed that are still midstream in their lives and are critical to a secure grid. Growing demand for data centers for AI will increase the demand for electricity, he said. 'If you're going to add a lot of new capacity, the first thing you should do is stop shrinking the capacity you have.' About 40 coal plants are slated for closure this year. 'Our biggest impact is going to stop the closure of most of those.' Wright takes questions from the press. On the topic of AI and data centers, Wright talked about permitting hurdles and the need to make it easier to build them. The 17 national laboratories have a lot of land and are accepting proposals for data centers to be cited on those lands, possibly with cooperative agreements to allow the labs to tap into those centers' computational powers. 'You will see data centers built on national lab property.' He concluded, 'I think the future of energy here in West Virginia is super exciting.' The state has been an energy powerhouse across its history. Natural gas and natural gas liquids, oil and coal are the fastest growing power sources across the world. And West Virginia is a businesses-friendly state with cutting-edge industry such as Form Energy in Weirton – the iron-air battery manufacturing facility. 'I think the outlook for energy and industry in West Virginia is quite bright.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
AEP Ohio says no blackouts expected despite heat wave; here's how to help prevent them
As central Ohio sweats its way through June, only one thing could make this oppressive heat worse: a power outage. Thankfully, AEP Ohio isn't expecting one. Director of operations Matt Bennett said there's been no indication from PJM Interconnection, the organization that manages the electricity grid for Ohio and 12 other states, that an electrical outage is anticipated in the coming weeks. That's not to say that an "emergency load reduction," commonly known as a blackout, isn't possible. Bennett said the process would involve temporarily cutting power to one group of circuits for some minutes, then restoring it and moving onto the next group. "That's why they call it a rolling blackout, because you're rotating the outages to ultimately reduce the demand on the system," Bennett said. "There's never a convenient time for a power outage, so you're trying to make it as least inconvenient and least impactful for the customer as possible." Temperatures are projected to be in the high 90s the next few days, with heat index values reaching as high as 104 degrees. On June 25, temperatures are expected to slightly drop, remaining in the low 90s through June 29 at least. Now until 8 p.m. on June 24, Columbus and much of Ohio are under a heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service due to consecutive days — and even nights — of high heat and humidity. In the past few days, PJM has issued multiple alerts regarding the heat wave, which Bennett said serve as preventative measures to ensure the electrical grid is in the best possible condition amid extreme temperatures. There is a possibility that PJM directs a formal energy conservation request to industrial and residential energy users in a further attempt to be proactive, but a blackout itself is "an absolute last resort," Bennett said. To help fend off this outcome, Bennett said people should minimize their electricity usage between 3-6 p.m., when demand is highest. During this period, you should avoid charging your electric vehicle and using large appliances like ovens, dishwashers and dryers. Bennett also advised turning your thermostat up a few degrees — ideally to 78, as recommended by AEP. Even if it's turning off lights or unplugging phone chargers, Bennett said "every little bit helps." "It may not seem a lot for each individual person, but on a larger scale, it can really make a big impact, because this is truly a supply and demand issue," Bennett said. "The overall goal is that we protect the grid, which ultimately will keep the energy flowing for all of us." AEP Ohio remains in "close communication" with PJM, and Bennett encouraged Ohioans to follow AEP Ohio on Instagram, X or Facebook to stay updated on potential blackouts and learn more tips to conserve energy. Reporter Emma Wozniak can be reached at ewozniak@ or @emma_wozniak_ on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: AEP Ohio says blackouts, power outages not expected despite heat wave
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Central Pennsylvania Rallies in Support of the Crane Clean Energy Center: Governor Shapiro, Microsoft Executives, Community Leaders and Hundreds of New Employees Gather to Celebrate Progress
Constellation remains on track to restart Unit 1 ahead of schedule, bringing thousands of jobs and more than $3 billion back to central Pennsylvania LONDONDERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa., June 25, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 400 new and returning Constellation employees and Pennsylvania building trades members gathered today at the Crane Clean Energy Center to hear from Gov. Josh Shapiro, local officials, and Microsoft and Constellation executives as widespread support builds for the plant's restart. The celebration follows news that the plant could restart as early as 2027, with the approval of an early interconnection request by grid operator PJM and significant progress made on hiring, reactor operator training and major equipment purchases. Governor Shapiro wrote a letter to PJM helping to secure approval of that expedited request. Crane Clean Energy Center Site Celebration Photos/Video "Today we begin a new chapter for reliable, emissions-free nuclear energy, returning thousands of good jobs and billions in economic opportunities for Pennsylvania families and businesses," said Joe Dominguez, Constellation president and CEO. "With PJM's action, Microsoft's historic investment, and strong support from Governor Shapiro, elected officials and members of this community, we're on track to make history ahead of schedule, helping America achieve energy independence, supercharge economic growth, and win the global AI race." "My Administration has worked closely with Constellation and PJM on the Crane Clean Energy Center since 2023 in order to get this new generation online as quickly as possible, ensure the reliability of our grid, and cement the Commonwealth's energy future," said Governor Josh Shapiro. "This restart will safely take advantage of existing infrastructure while creating thousands of energy jobs and strengthening Pennsylvania's legacy as a national energy leader. My proposed energy plan would spark the next generation of energy production here in Pennsylvania, and projects like this are going to help us continue to create energy jobs and build a more reliable, affordable energy grid. I look forward to continuing to bring people together to get stuff done for Pennsylvanians and speed up the development of new energy resources in the Commonwealth." "As Microsoft continues its path to become a carbon negative company, this agreement brings a significant supply of new, reliable, carbon-free electricity back to the PJM power grid," said Bobby Hollis, VP of Energy, Microsoft. "This will help address the grids' capacity and reliability needs in the regions we operate." Constellation continues to make strong progress toward the safe and efficient restart of the Crane Clean Energy Center. The facility is now more than 64% staffed, with nearly 400 full-time employees on board and 58 additional hires with start dates in the coming weeks. Significant technical milestones have also been reached, including the successful inspection of the plant's diesel generator, steam generator, main generator, turbines, and other major systems. Many of Crane's office buildings have been renovated and enhancements to the training center and control room simulator are nearly complete. The site's new main power transformers will be delivered next year utilizing the skills of hundreds of rigging experts, local skilled labor, and electrical specialists. Constellation also remains on track with its regulatory filings and recently submitted key licensing amendments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). In May, the NRC approved a license request to rename Unit 1 to the Crane Clean Energy Center. "Crane is a huge shot in the arm for the 130,000 building and construction trades workers I am privileged to represent in Pennsylvania," said Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council. "These are the men and women who shape the skylines across Pennsylvania, who build everything from energy plants and hospitals to high-rise apartments and hotels. This plant will give our workers the best opportunity to truly have a middle-class living, making good money with great benefits – something they can all be proud of. We are excited to be working with Constellation to power up the Crane Clean Energy Center." "We congratulate Constellation, Microsoft and the state of Pennsylvania for doing something that seemed impossible just a few years ago: restarting a shuttered nuclear plant," said Maria Korsnick, president and CEO, Nuclear Energy Institute. "The U.S. nuclear industry is uniquely positioned to meet the rising demand for clean, reliable, and affordable energy. The Crane Clean Energy Center is a powerful example of how our industry is rising to the challenge." Constellation pledged $1 million in community contributions over five years and has already provided $185,000 to community partners in 2025. During today's event, the company announced two new community donations: $25,000 to Lower Dauphin Communities That Care's Bookmobile, which serves local schools $20,000 to Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania "Constellation has always been a good neighbor for Londonderry Township and we are looking forward to that continuing into the future," added Anna Dale, Londonderry Township Supervisor. "An active power plant is good for our local economy and helps support countless businesses across the region. Their support of our community, especially the fire department, has always been exceptional and we remain grateful for all of the support they've shown." Prior to its premature retirement in 2019, the plant served as an economic engine for the state. An independent study found that Constellation's $1.6 billion investment to restart the Crane Clean Energy Center is expected to: Create 3,400 direct and indirect jobs Add $16 billion to Pennsylvania's GDP Generate more than $3 billion in state and federal tax revenue About Constellation Constellation Energy Corporation (Nasdaq: CEG), a Fortune 200 company headquartered in Baltimore, is the nation's largest producer of reliable, emissions-free energy and a leading energy supplier to businesses, homes and public sector customers nationwide, including three-fourths of Fortune 100 companies. With annual output that is nearly 90% carbon-free, our hydro, wind and solar facilities paired with the nation's largest nuclear fleet have the generating capacity to power the equivalent of 16 million homes, providing about 10% of the nation's clean energy. We are committed to investing in innovative technologies to drive the transition to a reliable, sustainable and secure energy future. Follow Constellation on LinkedIn and X. View source version on Contacts Paul AdamsConstellation
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Central Pennsylvania Rallies in Support of the Crane Clean Energy Center: Governor Shapiro, Microsoft Executives, Community Leaders and Hundreds of New Employees Gather to Celebrate Progress
LONDONDERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 400 new and returning Constellation employees and Pennsylvania building trades members gathered today at the Crane Clean Energy Center to hear from Gov. Josh Shapiro, local officials, and Microsoft and Constellation executives as widespread support builds for the plant's restart. The celebration follows news that the plant could restart as early as 2027, with the approval of an early interconnection request by grid operator PJM and significant progress made on hiring, reactor operator training and major equipment purchases. Governor Shapiro wrote a letter to PJM helping to secure approval of that expedited request. Crane Clean Energy Center Site Celebration Photos/Video 'Today we begin a new chapter for reliable, emissions-free nuclear energy, returning thousands of good jobs and billions in economic opportunities for Pennsylvania families and businesses,' said Joe Dominguez, Constellation president and CEO. 'With PJM's action, Microsoft's historic investment, and strong support from Governor Shapiro, elected officials and members of this community, we're on track to make history ahead of schedule, helping America achieve energy independence, supercharge economic growth, and win the global AI race.' 'My Administration has worked closely with Constellation and PJM on the Crane Clean Energy Center since 2023 in order to get this new generation online as quickly as possible, ensure the reliability of our grid, and cement the Commonwealth's energy future,' said Governor Josh Shapiro. 'This restart will safely take advantage of existing infrastructure while creating thousands of energy jobs and strengthening Pennsylvania's legacy as a national energy leader. My proposed energy plan would spark the next generation of energy production here in Pennsylvania, and projects like this are going to help us continue to create energy jobs and build a more reliable, affordable energy grid. I look forward to continuing to bring people together to get stuff done for Pennsylvanians and speed up the development of new energy resources in the Commonwealth." 'As Microsoft continues its path to become a carbon negative company, this agreement brings a significant supply of new, reliable, carbon-free electricity back to the PJM power grid,' said Bobby Hollis, VP of Energy, Microsoft. 'This will help address the grids' capacity and reliability needs in the regions we operate.' Constellation continues to make strong progress toward the safe and efficient restart of the Crane Clean Energy Center. The facility is now more than 64% staffed, with nearly 400 full-time employees on board and 58 additional hires with start dates in the coming weeks. Significant technical milestones have also been reached, including the successful inspection of the plant's diesel generator, steam generator, main generator, turbines, and other major systems. Many of Crane's office buildings have been renovated and enhancements to the training center and control room simulator are nearly complete. The site's new main power transformers will be delivered next year utilizing the skills of hundreds of rigging experts, local skilled labor, and electrical specialists. Constellation also remains on track with its regulatory filings and recently submitted key licensing amendments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). In May, the NRC approved a license request to rename Unit 1 to the Crane Clean Energy Center. 'Crane is a huge shot in the arm for the 130,000 building and construction trades workers I am privileged to represent in Pennsylvania,' said Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council. 'These are the men and women who shape the skylines across Pennsylvania, who build everything from energy plants and hospitals to high-rise apartments and hotels. This plant will give our workers the best opportunity to truly have a middle-class living, making good money with great benefits – something they can all be proud of. We are excited to be working with Constellation to power up the Crane Clean Energy Center.' 'We congratulate Constellation, Microsoft and the state of Pennsylvania for doing something that seemed impossible just a few years ago: restarting a shuttered nuclear plant,' said Maria Korsnick, president and CEO, Nuclear Energy Institute. 'The U.S. nuclear industry is uniquely positioned to meet the rising demand for clean, reliable, and affordable energy. The Crane Clean Energy Center is a powerful example of how our industry is rising to the challenge.' Constellation pledged $1 million in community contributions over five years and has already provided $185,000 to community partners in 2025. During today's event, the company announced two new community donations: $25,000 to Lower Dauphin Communities That Care's Bookmobile, which serves local schools $20,000 to Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania "Constellation has always been a good neighbor for Londonderry Township and we are looking forward to that continuing into the future,' added Anna Dale, Londonderry Township Supervisor. 'An active power plant is good for our local economy and helps support countless businesses across the region. Their support of our community, especially the fire department, has always been exceptional and we remain grateful for all of the support they've shown." Prior to its premature retirement in 2019, the plant served as an economic engine for the state. An independent study found that Constellation's $1.6 billion investment to restart the Crane Clean Energy Center is expected to: Create 3,400 direct and indirect jobs Add $16 billion to Pennsylvania's GDP Generate more than $3 billion in state and federal tax revenue About Constellation Constellation Energy Corporation (Nasdaq: CEG), a Fortune 200 company headquartered in Baltimore, is the nation's largest producer of reliable, emissions-free energy and a leading energy supplier to businesses, homes and public sector customers nationwide, including three-fourths of Fortune 100 companies. With annual output that is nearly 90% carbon-free, our hydro, wind and solar facilities paired with the nation's largest nuclear fleet have the generating capacity to power the equivalent of 16 million homes, providing about 10% of the nation's clean energy. We are committed to investing in innovative technologies to drive the transition to a reliable, sustainable and secure energy future. Follow Constellation on LinkedIn and X.
