Constellation Energy Corp. is ahead of schedule in several key areas regarding the launch of the Crane Clean Energy Center (CCEC), which will restore service to Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania.
“Every new milestone confirms our belief that the Crane Clean Energy Center can be returned to service better than ever, restoring 835 megawatts of carbon-free energy to the regional grid at a critical time for Pennsylvania and our nation,” said Joe Dominguez, Constellation president and CEO. “Major maintenance and upgrades are proceeding ahead of plan, new equipment has been ordered, and we are making tremendous progress on hiring and training the next generation of skilled workers to operate the plant at world class levels of safety and performance, just as before.”
The restart is expected to create 3,400 direct and indirect jobs, add $16 billion to the state’s GDP, and generate more than $3 billion in state and federal taxes.
To date, more than 200 full-time employees have been hired and the next wave of open positions at the CCEC will be posted in March, according to Constellation, which plans to hire more than 600 employees prior to the restart, in addition to hundreds of contractors who will mostly be sourced from local unions. Work is also under way to train and license reactor operators and senior reactor operators.
“With only a few hundred workers on site, local restaurants and businesses are already feeling a significant boost,” said Bart Shellenhamer, who serves as a member of the Londonderry Township Board of Supervisors. “We look forward to welcoming new families to the area and leveraging the many benefits that the restart will bring.”
Work also continues on-schedule on the thousands of inspections and equipment upgrades. To date, workers have performed inspections of the plant’s steam generator, main generator, rotor, turbines, feedwater heaters, and condensers.
One of the largest new equipment purchases required for the restart is for construction of three new main power transformers, Constellation said. The contract has been awarded and an additional $35 million investment will ensure the transformers reach the station safely in 2026.
Additionally, Constellation has filed an interconnection request with PJM Interconnection LLC to allow the CCEC to add its 835 megawatts (MW) of emissions-free power to the grid. Constellation is also on-track to file all the required licensing and regulatory documents with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which has the ultimate authority to approve the restart.
“Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy sector plays a critical role in providing safe, reliable, clean electricity — that’s why my administration has been engaged in plans to launch the Crane Clean Energy Center to create thousands of jobs, ensure the reliability of our energy grid, and cement the Commonwealth’s position as a national energy leader,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro. “Projects like the Crane Clean Energy Center are going to help us continue to create energy jobs and power Pennsylvania forward. I look forward to continuing that work to speed up the development of new energy generation here in Pennsylvania.”
Constellation also will donate more than $1 million over the next five years in the neighboring community and region to support workforce development and nonprofit organizations dedicated to various needs.
“We can’t tell you how much it means to have the renewed support of Constellation,” said Angela Durantine, program director of the Lower Dauphin Communities That Care. “Since the Bookmobile is our largest expense, it’s great to know that we have the funds to cover those costs as well as being able to expand reading programs for area youth.”
Constellation representatives also have been meeting with state and local public officials, business groups, emergency management agencies, and civic organizations to keep them updated on the work to launch the CCEC.