Holtec International officials announced that efforts to restart the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant are progressing well.

During their bi-annual open house on Wednesday, they updated the community on fuel supply, generator status, and hiring initiatives.

Holtec’s Government Affairs Director Nick Culp confirmed that the plant, closed since 2020, is on track to reopen in October 2025.

“From a hiring standpoint, I would say we’re nearly at the end,” Culp says. “In terms of the fuel that’s been procured, so that one’s accomplished. I would say we’re probably midway through our inspections right now, and then we’re gonna continue to do inspections and maintenance activities until restart. But if we find additional work that needs to be done, of course we’re gonna take the time to do that.”

Culp noted that the site has hired over 300 people this year, including new and returning employees. He emphasized that the plant will create local jobs, boost the tax base, and help meet energy generation and climate goals.

“For Michigan, this is coming at a very important time when the state is transitioning from fossil generation,” Culp says. “Michigan used to be more than 50 percent reliant on coal power for its electricity. Today we’re less than 20 percent and by 2050 they’re targeting for that to be zero.”

Palisades is on track to becoming the first powerplant in the United States to be recommissioned, assuming NRC gives its approval.