NRC Grants Holtec Exemption to Begin Early Site Construction Activities for Pioneer Units 1 and 2

[Marlin]

NRC Grants Holtec Exemption to Begin Early Site Construction Activities for Pioneer Units 1 and 2

https://holtecinternational.com/hh-41-20/

[Core Content]

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved an exemption allowing Holtec International to begin early site preparation work at the Palisades site. The decision authorizes permanent support-of-excavation and cutoff-wall installations for two new reactors before a formal Limited Work Authorization is issued.

The approval lets the company proceed with foundation stabilization, dewatering, and excavation activities for the planned Pioneer units. Workers will perform geological mapping and maintain site inspections while establishing conditions for future nuclear island construction. The project tests advanced deployment timelines for small modular reactors at an existing facility.

Approval advances support of excavation, cutoff-wall, and ground-improvement activities at the Palisades Energy Center

COVERT TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted Holtec an exemption onAugust 28, 2026, authorizing installation of permanent support-of-excavation (SOE) and cutoff-wall systems for Pioneer Units 1 and 2 before issuance of a Limited Work Authorization (LWA). Holtec submitted the request onDecember 31, 2025, as part of Part 1 of the phased Construction Permit Application (CPA), which included the LWA R0 application and the Environmental Report (ER). The approval...

Read the full article at Holtec International:
https://holtecinternational.com/hh-41-20/