WASHINGTON, D.C. (Michigan News Source) – The U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright used Michigan’s nuclear power as an example of a way to reduce the cost of energy.
The DOE posted the clip on X on Nov. 20 of Wright talking on a Fox News program about extending the life of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan.
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.@SecretaryWright surprises news anchor with how quickly @POTUS is moving on nuclear power: “We have another nuclear power plant we’re restarting in southwestern, Michigan…will actually be on early next year.”
Host: “That’s a fast timeline! I was expecting…like 10 years!” pic.twitter.com/LqTarxhud5
— U.S. Department of Energy (@ENERGY) November 20, 2025
Wright said the Palisades plant would be back online early next year.
The Palisades Nuclear Plant was closed in May 2022. The U.S. Department of Energy said it would be brought back online and run until 2051. Environmental groups have sued the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to shut down the Palisades operation.
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DOE stated Nov. 18 that it “remains committed to fulfilling this mission to maximize the speed and scale of nuclear capacity in the United States, ensuring the American people’s access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy.”
As of August, 21.1% of the electricity generation in Michigan was by nuclear power, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Natural gas-fired generated 47.2% of electricity, coal-fired was 21.5% and renewables was 9.4%.
