Three Mile Island, once etched in American memory as the site of the nation’s worst nuclear accident, is poised for a dramatic comeback. On November 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) finalized a $1 billion loan to Constellation Energy, aimed at restarting Unit 1 of the former nuclear plant. Now rechristened the Crane Clean Energy Center, this project is not just about reviving a shuttered facility—it’s about transforming the energy landscape for Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic region, and potentially the entire country.
Constellation Energy’s plan to bring Three Mile Island back online arrives at a time when the demand for reliable, large-scale electricity is soaring. The driving force? The insatiable appetite of artificial intelligence and cloud computing. According to The Motley Fool, Constellation’s renewed partnership with Microsoft will supply power directly to the tech giant’s data centers, a move that underscores the new economic logic behind nuclear energy in the digital age.
The DOE loan, part of the Trump administration’s Energy Dominance Financing Program, covers nearly all of Constellation’s estimated $1.6 billion startup costs, leaving just $600 million for the company to secure elsewhere. The financing terms are favorable: a variable interest rate set at 0.375% per annum over the current average yield of comparable U.S. Treasury obligations—about 5% with today’s rates. The 30-year loan isn’t due in full until November 17, 2055, giving Constellation ample runway for the project’s success.
Mark Rodgers, a spokesperson for Constellation, emphasized the significance of the federal support, telling the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, “We’re appreciative of [the loan]. It’ll be helpful to Constellation. And for the government, we’re going to pay it back in full with interest, so ultimately the taxpayer will get a return.”
But why now? Three Mile Island’s original closure in 2019 wasn’t due to safety concerns, but simply economics: natural gas was cheap, renewables were growing, and nuclear couldn’t keep up in the open market. Fast forward to 2025, and the equation has changed. Data centers require massive, consistent, and carbon-free baseload power—something wind and solar can’t guarantee around the clock. Nuclear energy, with its ability to provide steady output, suddenly looks like a critical asset rather than a relic of the past.
“Constellation’s restart of a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania will provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy to Americans across the Mid-Atlantic region,” U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright declared in a press release. “It will also help ensure America has the energy it needs to grow its domestic manufacturing base and win the AI race.”
The impact of this restart extends far beyond the plant’s fences. For Dauphin and Lancaster counties, where the facility is located, the return of Three Mile Island means the restoration of hundreds of high-paying, specialized jobs—electricians, engineers, digital technicians, cybersecurity experts, and more. Temporary construction roles for welders, inspectors, and fabricators will also surge as the plant undergoes upgrades and recertification. The ripple effect is real: local restaurants, car dealerships, and real estate markets are all expected to benefit as new spending circulates through the region.
For local governments, the plant’s property tax revenue is a financial lifeline. When Three Mile Island closed, county budgets took a hit, impacting schools, fire departments, road maintenance, and municipal services. The reopening promises not just jobs, but economic certainty for public institutions and community programs—something that’s hard to overstate in towns where industry has faded away.
Of course, the road to revival isn’t without bumps. Three Mile Island remains a potent symbol of nuclear risk, having suffered a partial meltdown in 1979 that released radioactive material into the environment. While long-term health effects were minimal, the incident left a mark on public consciousness. At a public hearing in July, some residents voiced concerns about the risks of another accident, especially since most of the plant’s electricity will go to power data centers rather than local homes and businesses.
Others, however, see the project as a lifeline. Many community members welcome the influx of construction jobs and the promise of economic revitalization. As Pennsylvania Capital-Star reported, public opinion is split, with voices on both sides making their case.
It’s not just about local sentiment, though. The decision to restart a nuclear plant is a complex dance between corporate incentive, government policy, and regulatory oversight. Constellation Energy is taking on significant financial risk, betting that long-term contracts and predictable output will make the investment worthwhile. The government, both state and federal, is providing incentives, tax credits, and loan guarantees to make the economics work. And the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) holds the ultimate authority, ensuring that every safety, training, and compliance requirement is met before the plant can go operational—expected in 2027.
For some, the use of public funds to underwrite a private enterprise raises philosophical questions. Who should pay for the infrastructure needed to power the digital economy—taxpayers, corporations, or ratepayers? Mark Rodgers addressed this concern directly, highlighting that the loan will be repaid with interest, providing a return to taxpayers rather than a handout.
The stakes are high. If the Three Mile Island reboot succeeds, it could serve as a model for other communities with dormant nuclear facilities. Instead of demolishing old plants, towns could modernize and repurpose them to meet the demands of clean energy and data-center growth. This pilot could help revitalize abandoned industrial areas, turning them into hubs of economic activity and technological innovation.
The project is not without its risks—nuclear waste management and safety remain long-term responsibilities. Yet, as The Motley Fool points out, oversight is stricter than ever, technology has advanced, and digital monitoring is now widespread. The hope is that these improvements will prevent a repeat of past mistakes and set a new standard for nuclear safety.
On Wall Street, the news has already made waves. Constellation Energy’s stock price jumped 5.6% the morning after the loan announcement, a sign that investors see the project as a positive step for the company’s future.
For the people of Pennsylvania, the reopening of Three Mile Island is more than just a technical or financial story. It’s a second chance—an opportunity to reclaim industrial pride, restore community stability, and play a pivotal role in America’s energy transition. As the plant prepares to power up once again, all eyes are on Harrisburg and the surrounding counties. Success here could reshape the narrative for nuclear energy nationwide, proving that old infrastructure can fuel new opportunity in the age of AI.
The next chapter for Three Mile Island is set to begin in 2027, and its outcome could reverberate far beyond the banks of the Susquehanna River.
