The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released another round of funding to support the restart of the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan. On Tuesday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that Holtec, the company leading the restart, received about $156 million from a federal loan guarantee.
This is part of a larger $1.52 billion loan package to help bring the plant back online. Palisades will be the first nuclear power plant in the country to restart after being shut down for decommissioning, though the project still requires approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
When up and running, the plant will generate 800 megawatts of steady, clock-round electricity—enough to add some much-needed backbone to Michigan’s power grid and keep homes and businesses affordable.
Secretary Wright credited the project as a reflection of the federal government’s commitment to increasing U.S. energy production. “With initiatives like Palisades, we’re working to reduce the cost of energy and ensure Americans have access to secure, reliable power,” he said.
This is the sixth loan payment Holtec has received since the DOE settled the loan in September 2024, bringing total draws to about $491 million to advance the project. Recent updates include NRC approval of principal licenses and environmental studies, paving the way for Palisades to shift from decommissioning status toward renewed operation. In parallel, other nuclear developments are gaining momentum, such as Valar Atomics breaking ground on its WARD 250 nuclear reactor in Utah. Together, these efforts reflect how both federal support and private sector investment are accelerating the revival of U.S. nuclear infrastructure.
While the Palisades restart focuses on bringing an existing nuclear plant back online to supply power, Oklo’s planned facility in Tennessee highlights another side of America’s nuclear push—developing new ways to recycle used fuel for future reactors
The release further refers to the DOE’s role in fulfilling President Trump’s executive order for strengthening America’s nuclear sector through project support for extending or restarting nuclear power plants.
Elsewhere, On Sept. 25, 2025, Centrus Energy announced plans for a multi-billion dollar expansion of its uranium enrichment plant in Piketon, Ohio, a project designed to strengthen the nation’s supply of nuclear fuel for advanced reactors, as the U.S. nuclear energy ecosystem—spearheaded by the Department of Energy—is being revived amid uncertain policies on solar and wind under the Trump administration.
Project Factsheet: Palisades Nuclear Plant Restart
Location: Covert Township, Michigan
Owner/Developer: Holtec International
Funding: Up to $1.52 billion federal loan guarantee
Latest Disbursement: $155.9 million (sixth payment)
Total Disbursed So Far: $491 million
Planned Capacity: 800 MW of baseload power
Status: NRC approvals underway; transitioning from decommissioning to operations
Significance: First U.S. commercial nuclear plant restart after decommissioning
Impact: Strengthens Michigan’s power grid, supports reliable and affordable energy supp
