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US regulator states Michigan nuclear plant requires work before restart

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said on Wednesday that inspections found concerns at the Palisades atomic power plant in Michigan, which Holtec LLC wants to restart after a twoyear closure with aid from a $1.52 billion U.S. loan guarantee.

Initial results recognized a great deal of steam generator tubes with indicators that need more analysis and/or repair, the NRC said on its website about the two steam generators at the plant. It stated more analysis, screening and repair work would occur over the next couple of months. Holtec, which initially purchased the plant for decommissioning, wishes to resume Palisades late next year as U.S. power demand soars with development in artificial intelligence and electrical lorries. It would be the very first time that a. shuttered U.S. nuclear plant resumed.

Holtec stated on its site that inspections of the steam. generators identified the requirement for additional upkeep. activities.

A Holtec representative did not immediately react to a. ask for discuss potential delays or extra costs.

The U.S. Loan Programs Workplace, part of the Department of. Energy,

issued Holtec

a conditional loan warranty in March. The administration. of President Joe Biden believes nuclear power is important in the. battle to suppress environment change.

Alan Blind, engineering director at the plant from 2006. to 2013, estimated on Wednesday that repair work to the Palisades. steam generators would cost over $500 million and add 2 to. 3 years to the timing of a restart.

Edwin Lyman, a physicist and a nuclear security specialist at. the Union of Concerned Scientists, stated more needs to be understood. about the plant's condition. The general public should have the. unvarnished reality ... before more taxpayer and ratepayer dollars. are put down what could be an extremely deep rathole, he said.

(source: Reuters)