Three Mile Island nuclear plant requests daily 73M gallon from Susquehanna River

Constellation Energy has submitted a request to the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) for permission to withdraw 73.2 million gallons of water daily from the Susquehanna River. This significant water usage is intended to support new Microsoft data centers proposed for the site of the former Three Mile Island nuclear plant, which is set to restart as the Crane Clean Energy Center in 2027. The proposal has sparked considerable public concern and opposition, particularly given that several Pennsylvania counties are experiencing abnormal to severe drought conditions. Environmental advocacy group Food & Water Watch (FWW) has actively pushed back against the data center development, highlighting the strain on water resources and the environmental risks associated with nuclear energy and data center operations. Alex Beauchamp, FWW's northern region director, labeled the plan a "recipe for disaster," criticizing corporations for prioritizing profits over environmental and community well-being. Polling data from December indicates that a majority of Pennsylvanians, 70-71%, are concerned about data centers' water and electricity consumption. FWW has also become the first national organization to call for a moratorium on data centers, a stance now supported by 250 other organizations, including 17 from Pennsylvania. The SRBC is currently accepting written comments on the water withdrawal request until May 4.