Three Mile Island to Reopen Under Microsoft’s Green Energy Initiative

The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, located near Middletown, Pennsylvania, is set to reopen as part of a major agreement to provide carbon-free energy to Microsoft. The arrangement marks a significant development for both the tech giant and the energy sector, particularly in light of the plant’s notorious history. A partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979 remains the worst commercial nuclear accident in United States history.

Constellation Energy, America’s self-proclaimed largest producer of “clean, carbon-free energy,” announced its largest-ever power purchase agreement with Microsoft. The deal aims to power Microsoft’s data centers, which support its cloud computing and artificial intelligence programs. “Powering industries critical to our nation’s global economic and technological competitiveness, including data centers, requires an abundance of energy that is carbon-free and reliable every hour of every day,” said Joe Dominguez, Constellation Energy’s President and CEO. He emphasized that nuclear plants are uniquely capable of meeting these demands consistently.

The reactivation of Three Mile Island is expected to generate approximately 3,400 jobs and infuse more than $3 billion in state and federal taxes, according to a commissioned report. Additionally, it promises to contribute $16 billion to Pennsylvania’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the agreement’s 20-year span. The plant is slated to reopen in 2028 under the new name, the Crane Clean Energy Center, honoring former CEO Chris Crane, who passed away in April.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted the importance of the nuclear energy industry, stating, “Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy industry plays a critical role in providing safe, reliable, carbon-free electricity that helps reduce emissions and grow Pennsylvania’s economy.” Nuclear energy is touted for its lack of direct carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, a key factor in combating global warming.

The agreement also serves as a critical component of Microsoft’s strategy to decarbonize its operations. Bobby Hollis, Microsoft’s Vice President of Energy, remarked, “This agreement is a major milestone in Microsoft’s efforts to help decarbonize the grid in support of our commitment to become carbon negative.” Microsoft’s initiative aligns well with a broader industry trend of extending the life of existing nuclear facilities in lieu of constructing costly new plants.

However, the move has sparked concerns among state activists regarding potential financial implications for taxpayers. Eric Epstein from the watchdog group Three Mile Island Alert questioned the economic rationale, stating, “What would be a better investment for our money? That’s the question we should be asking.”

Public sentiment seems to favor the plant’s reopening, provided that it does not result in increased taxes or electricity rates. According to a survey by Susquehanna Polling & Research, the local community supports the initiative by more than a 2-to-1 margin under these conditions. Governor Shapiro expressed a commitment to ensuring energy cost savings while maintaining grid reliability during this transition.