NRC grants Palisades rare exemption to clear fuel mishap and resume operations

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan a one-time license amendment to move a fuel assembly stuck at a 30-degree angle using special equipment. The 725 MW plant, shut down in 2022, is preparing for a historic restart, with 10 days to complete the job.

• Fuel assembly tilted 30 degrees on August 30 and lodged in the reactor vessel
• NRC approved a one-time license exemption for the fuel movement
• The 725 MW plant was shut down in 2022 and is preparing to restart
• Holtec has 10 days to complete the operation under camera monitoring