One of the critical economic and policy issues facing Southwest Michigan right now is the possible reopening of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant near Covert. There’s an unusual bi-partisan effort underway in Lansing to bring the plant back up to operating standards to once again generate electricity for the region—and restore hundreds of jobs that were lost last year when the plant shutdown—said to be at the end of its safe and useful operating life.
One of the leaders in the movement to resurrect Palisades is Van Buren County’s Economic Development Chief, Zach Morris. In his role as Executive Director of ‘Market Van Buren’, Morris sees untold benefits in the plant’s possible reopening. He requested an opportunity to make the case in a MoodyOnTheMarket.com ‘Guest Commentary’. We welcome such informed discussion of public issues and are pleased to give Zach Morris a forum to lay out the argument for reopening Palisades.
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Repowering Palisades: Energizing Michigan’s Economic Future
By Zach Morris, Executive Director, Market Van Buren
As Executive Director of Market Van Buren, a subsidiary of Kinexus Group, I see firsthand how the repowering of Palisades nuclear power plant in Van Buren County will positively impact the economy, the workforce, and the overall community that we have worked so hard to strengthen and build over the years. Market Van Buren is an economic development organization serving Cass and Van Buren counties, however, the positive impact of repowering the plan will be felt far beyond our region.
As Michigan strives to build a sustainable and prosperous future, it is essential to recognize the important role that energy plays in shaping the state’s economic development. The repowering of the Palisades nuclear power plant presents a historic opportunity for Michigan. With its promise of hundreds of permanent high-paying jobs, substantial tax revenues, and reliable baseload generation, the repowering of Palisades can serve as a catalyst for economic growth, and support current and growing energy needs across the state.
Repowering Palisades will create hundreds of high-paying jobs that will strengthen Michigan’s economy. The nuclear power industry is known for its stable employment opportunities, offering long-term career prospects and attractive wages. These positions not only provide financial stability for workers and their families but also contribute to the growth of local businesses and the overall regional economy. These jobs are supplemented every 18 months by the influx of more than 1,000 contractors who arrive on site to support regularly scheduled refueling and maintenance outages. That predictable boost in economic activity stimulates growth for small businesses and contributes to a resilient economic ecosystem.
In fact, an ongoing study conducted by the Economic Growth Institute at the University of Michigan found that the premature closure of Palisades will have an adverse economic impact on the region of more than $250 million annually.
As one of the region’s largest employers, Palisades will generate substantial tax revenues for the local community. These additional funds can be strategically allocated to bolster education, healthcare, infrastructure, and other vital public services, thereby improving the overall quality of life for all Michiganders.
The repowering of Palisades also addresses the critical need for baseload generation in Michigan, which will ensure we do not have rolling brownouts, like some parts of the world have. As the state transitions away from fossil fuel-based energy sources, ensuring a consistent and reliable power supply becomes paramount. Nuclear power plants, such as Palisades, provide a dependable around-the-clock generation capacity that can complement intermittent renewable energy sources. The availability of reliable baseload power is important for Michigan households and job creators and essential to future growth within our state.
The repowering of Palisades represents a unique, bipartisan opportunity for Michigan to secure a prosperous future, driven by sustainable economic growth, job creation, and reliable energy generation. The hundreds of permanent high-paying jobs, millions in annual tax revenues, and the contractor presence associated with refueling and maintenance outages will invigorate local economies and drive regional development. Additionally, the reliable baseload generation provided by Palisades will serve as a crucial asset in offsetting the closure of fossil fuel-based energy sources, supporting new manufacturing endeavors, and ensuring a stable energy supply for households across the state.
By embracing the repowering of Palisades, Michigan can pave the way for a cleaner, more resilient, and prosperous future, while helping the region and state compete and win.
