One Step Closer to More Nuclear Energy

Progress toward reopening the once-shuttered Three Mile Island (TMI) continues to make headway, paving the way for more reliable energy in Pennsylvania.

Last week, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) hosted a public hearing addressing the project and the agency’s review process. In 2024, Constellation Energy announced its intention to reopen Unit One. Five years prior, the reactor closed due to economic reasons.

Before that, TMI was also the location of a partial meltdown in 1979. Thankfully, there were no documented fatalities, illnesses, or injuries.

Why Does It Matter?

TMI’s reopening highlights some significant concerns, specifically those related to public policies.

Safety Concerns with Nuclear Energy

Safety was the most-cited concern during the NRC hearing. Assuredly, seismic events, such as TMI’s partial meltdown and the full-on Chernobyl meltdown of 1986, evoke fears and concerns about nuclear energy.

But its safety record is unmatched. From 1957 (when the first nuclear reactor in the United States began operations) through TMI’s partial meltdown, only one other accident occurred: the Argonne explosion of 1961, which killed three employees. By comparison, 4,860 people died in coal mines during the same time.

The Rise of AI and the Need for More Reliable Energy

The burgeoning market for artificial intelligence and data centers has provoked a new arms race to power the emerging but energy-hungry technology. A ChatGPT search requires about 10 times more watt-hours than a traditional Google search. Pennsylvania is poised to be one of the most significant beneficiaries of advancements in AI.

Regulators Gum Up the Process

The NRC’s licensing process is notoriously bureaucratic. Internationally, the average construction time for new nuclear reactors ranges between 7 and 11 years. Meanwhile, in the United States, the process can take up to 20 years. Since 1990, the United States has only added about 8 gigawatts of nuclear energy nationwide. For context, the U.S. added more than 9 gigawatts in 1987 alone—one year after Chernobyl. Considering the time and cost, it’s no wonder so many investors are too spooked to jump into the new nuclear game.

The federal government isn’t the only regulatory hurdle. PJM Interconnection—the grid operator for not only Pennsylvania but also 12 other northeastern states—maintains a “regulatory queue” for energy projects connecting to its grid. Gov. Josh Shapiro formally requested that reopening TMI jump the line since it is technically not a “new” build.

Pennsylvania’s own energy policies may also prove to be a bottleneck. Despite being the number-one exporter of electricity, Pennsylvania struggles with energy costs, primarily due to excessive regulations. To make matters worse, Governor Shapiro’s proposed “Lightning Plan” will add about $157 billion in new electricity costs by 2035, according to analysis by Always On Energy and the Commonwealth Foundation.

The Economic Benefits of TMI

The urgency to reopen TMI is understandable given its sizable economic impact. Estimates suggest that the project will generate 3,400 new jobs (most of which will pay more than the state’s median salary), procure $3 billion in state and federal taxes, and add $16 billion to the commonwealth’s GDP.

Additional Reading

• “Restarting Three Mile Island: Quick Facts” (Commonwealth Foundation)
• “We Need More Three Islands” (Reason)
• “Three Mile Island Demonstrates the Value of Free Markets” (RealClearPennsylvania)
• “Energy Regulations Threaten Pennsylvania’s Tech Boom” (RealClearPennsylvania)
• “Private Investment—Not Subsidies—Will Empower Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy” (PennLive)
• “Preventing Pennsylvania from Powering Down: Analysis of Governor Shapiro’s PACER and PRESS Proposals” (Always On Energy/Commonwealth Foundation)