Three Mile Island Plans to Reopen as Demand for Nuclear Power Grows

Introduction

Three Mile Island, the site of the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history, is planning to reopen as demand for nuclear power grows. The plant was closed in 1979 after a partial meltdown, but it has been undergoing a $1 billion refurbishment since 2017.

The plant's owner, Exelon, says the plant is now safe to operate and will provide a reliable source of electricity for the region. However, some environmental groups are concerned about the risks of a nuclear accident and are calling for the plant to remain closed.

Growing Demand for Nuclear Power

The demand for nuclear power is growing around the world as countries look for clean and reliable sources of energy. Nuclear power plants produce electricity without emitting greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change.

In the United States, the Biden administration has set a goal of achieving 100% clean electricity by 2035. Nuclear power is seen as a key part of reaching this goal.

Three Mile Island's Safety Upgrades

After the Three Mile Island accident, the plant was extensively upgraded to improve safety. These upgrades include:

• A new containment building to prevent the release of radiation in the event of an accident
• New emergency core cooling systems
• New control room equipment
• New training programs for plant operators

Exelon says these upgrades make the plant one of the safest in the world.

Environmental Concerns

Some environmental groups are concerned about the risks of a nuclear accident at Three Mile Island. They point to the plant's history of safety problems and the potential for a catastrophic accident.

However, Exelon says the plant is now safe to operate and that the benefits of nuclear power outweigh the risks.

Conclusion

The reopening of Three Mile Island is a controversial issue. There are strong arguments both for and against reopening the plant.

The Biden administration believes that nuclear power is a key part of achieving its goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035. However, some environmental groups are concerned about the risks of a nuclear accident.

The decision of whether or not to reopen Three Mile Island will ultimately be made by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The NRC will review the plant's safety upgrades and make a decision based on whether or not they believe the plant is safe to operate.