Opponents of the planned Palisades nuclear plant restart are asking a federal judge to intervene, claiming the owners used regulatory “bait-and-switch” tactics to skip critical safety reviews. (Bridge Michigan)
The lawsuit claims Holtec Energy pulled a “dead and alive” legal stunt, simultaneously claiming exemptions from regulations (as if decommissioning) while also using the active license to ease the path toward reopening.
Plaintiffs fear these alleged shortcuts could lead to safety consequences at the 54-year-old plant, despite the facility already winning billions in federal subsidies to become the first US nuclear plant ever to reopen.
Between the lines: The legal conflict lands just as Michigan lawmakers are weighing a new package of tax breaks and grants designed to further boost the nuclear industry and support the eventual construction of new SMRs on the property.