Trump DOE takes victory lap at Biden-financed Palisades nuclear project

[Marlin]

Trump DOE takes victory lap at Biden-financed Palisades nuclear project

https://www.mlive.com/environment/2026/10/trump-doe-takes-victory-lap-at-biden-financed-palisades-nuclear-project.html

[Core Content]

U.S. Energy Department officials at the Palisades nuclear plant in Covert Township, Mich., Oct. 29, 2026.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited the Palisades nuclear plant to highlight the ongoing restart project. During the event, officials announced no new funding or operational milestones. Plant owner Holtec International declined to confirm the administration's projected restart timeline.

Palisades is attempting to become the first U.S. reactor to resume operations after entering decommissioning, relying heavily on federal financing. The 767 MWe facility faces technical hurdles, equipment degradation, and strict regulatory oversight from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission before commercial generation can resume.

COVERT, MI — Senior Trump officials staged a victory lap at the Palisades nuclear plant, claiming credit for an ambitious restart project financed largely under the Biden administration and boosting a Republican congressman in a competitive reelection race. No new funding, regulatory approval or completed operational milestone was announced during...

No new funding, regulatory approval or completed operational milestone was announced during the Thursday, Oct. 29 event, which was held in a warehouse space previously used for Palisades appearances by Biden officials and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The event gave U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, a platform to promote Republican energy policy five days before voters decide Huizenga's fate in a closely-watched race against state Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo, in Michigan's 4th Congressional district.

Read the full article at MLive - GrandRapids/Muskegon/Kalamazoo:
https://www.mlive.com/environment/2026/10/trump-doe-takes-victory-lap-at-biden-financed-palisades-nuclear-project.html