ML23349A164

LTR-23-0301 Representative Bill Huizenga, Et Al., Letter Federal Loan Funding Application Submitted by Holtec to Repower the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant

ML23349A164
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	12/15/2023
From:	Huizenga B, Norcross D, Walberg T, Van Drew J, Stevens H, Bergman J, Scholten H, Moolenaar J, Slotkin E US Congress, US SEN (Senate), US HR (House of Representatives)
To:	Granholm J, Christopher Hanson NRC/Chairman, US Dept of Energy (DOE)
Shared Package
ML23349A165	List: ML23349A164 ML24008A004
References
LTR-23-0301, CORR-24-0003
Download: ML23349A164 (1)

Text

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December 15, 2023

The Honorable Jennifer M. Granholm Secretary U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20585

The Honorable Christopher T. Hanson Chair U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001

Dear Secretary Granholm and Chair Hanson:

We write on behalf of the federal loan funding application submitted by Holtec to repower the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert, Michigan. Building upon the list of private and public stakeholders on the state and local community level that have already backed this project, Holtec is now seeking federal support. Repowering Palisades could significantly grow the regions economy, strengthen our domestic energy security, and return safe, reliable, and carbon-free generation back to the electrical grid.

Restoring Palisades 800 megawatts of baseload generation, which is sufficient to reliably power more than 800,000 homes with clean energy, would be critical to addressing our nations fast-growing energy needs. In addition to clear energy benefits, Palisades has the potential to directly drive economic growth and create hundreds of highly skilled jobs, including a union workforce and long-term opportunities in STEM fields.

Having only been offline since mid-2022, the plant remains in workable condition - prior to which it achieved the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRC) best safety category and high marks from within its industry. Throughout this process and going forward, we expect NRC to utilize its full independent oversight authorities to ensure the most stringent standards of safety.

Holtec has filed an application for federal loan funding through the U.S. Department of Energy earlier this year to repower Palisades. Many additional partners are standing ready to help take on this responsibility. Palisades capabilities were recently recognized in the States FY 2024 budget with a $150 million investment for repowering. Stakeholders of all kinds have expressed support for Palisades, including local levels of government like Covert Township and several county boards, chambers of commerce and business groups like the Michigan Manufacturers Association, organized labor groups, and many local educational institutions. Importantly, in September 2023, Holtec secured a long-term power purchase agreement with Wolverine Power Cooperative, a not-for-profit rural power provider. Now, with these commitments from Holtec, the State of Michigan, and others, we urge the Department of Energy to give its fair, full, and swift consideration to the application. Buy-in from all parties will be necessary to make Palisades an operational success now and for future generations.

The repowering of Palisades represents a critical step in addressing energy shortages, supporting the fight to lower carbon emissions, and promoting economic growth. On behalf of the communities we represent, we thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

~a ~L Bill Huizenga Donald Norcross Member of Congress Member of Congress

~ ~,/ ~Siw~ Tim Walberg Haley M. Stevens Member of Congress Member of Congress

~k~~ ~d~ Jack Bergman Hillary J. Scholten Member of Congress Member of Congress

John R. Moolenaar Jefferson Van Drew Member of Congress Member of Congress

Elissa Slotkin Member of Congress