Regulator Helps Constellation Energy Fast-Track Three Mile Island Revival
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved Constellation Energy's request to fast-track the revival of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. This project aims to supply power to nearby Microsoft data centers. Additionally, a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers is proposing legislation to protect residents from data center-related electricity price increases.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has granted Constellation Energy's request to fast-track the revival of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. The plan is to bring the 835-megawatt reactor at the Crane Clean Energy Center back online next year, significantly ahead of earlier projections of 2031. This accelerated timeline is crucial for addressing the increasing electricity demands of Microsoft's data centers in the region.
Microsoft previously secured a 20-year agreement with Constellation in 2024 to purchase all the electricity generated by the resurrected reactor. This power is intended to support Microsoft's data centers not only in Pennsylvania but also in other locations, including Chicago, Ohio, and northern Virginia's "Data Center Alley." The move highlights the growing strain on energy grids due to the proliferation of hyperscale data centers.
In response to rising electricity costs and potential impacts from data center development, a bipartisan coalition of Pennsylvania lawmakers is actively pushing for legislation. This proposed bill aims to safeguard residents from data center-related price hikes, echoing federal legislative efforts and the White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which many hyperscalers have already committed to.