COVERT, Mich. — The reopening of Palisades nuclear power plant in Covert has been a discussion between environmental officials for years. It continued Wednesday night with a third meeting hosted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
The meeting was held to answer questions from the public who had concern for their communities regarding its possible reopening.
The power plant was shut down in May of 2022 because of financial issues and a faulty control rod dive seal.
“Our mission is protecting public health and safety,” Jamie Pelton, Palisades restart panel co-chair said.
Pelton said reopening the plant is a great way to make sure Michigan is prepared in the wake of any emergency. She and other members of the NRC said they hope to have it back up and running in October of 2025.
Pelton also realizes reopening the plant has caused a lot of concern and anger.
Radioactive waste specialist with Beyond Nuclear, Kevin Kamps, called the plan a “catastrophic disaster.”
He believes reopening the plant will only cause cancer –among other diseases– ruin crops, and taint clean drinking water.
“Farm crops are already being exposed to some level of radioactivity, the drinking water is already being exposed to some level of radioactivity. This is a drinking water supply for not only South Haven and other area communities here,” Kamp said.
Kamp felt as though his fear came to light after members of the NRC admitted that during one of several ongoing inspections of the site, levels of radiation were found. Those levels were greater than regulatory controls.
“We conduct oversight inspections to make sure that it is safe. Ensuring that emergency planning and preparedness is in place were there to be an event,” Pelton said.
If Palisades reopens, it will be the only nuclear power plant to do so in the United States.