The new state budget includes $150 million for the possible reopening of the Palisades nuclear power plant. State Representative Joey Andrews tells us that’s about half of what Palisades owner Holtec had been seeking. However, he says there’s an understanding the other $150 million could come if all goes well.
“The thought was that a lot of this depends on the [Department of Energy] approving that $1 billion loan, and so the governor didn’t want to make a hard commitment of state dollars in the event that the DEO doesn’t come through,” Andrews said. “So, this $150 million represents the intent of the state to invest in the project.”
Holtec has also applied for a loan of about $1 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy to get Palisades restarted. Andrews notes the new budget allocates funding for several southwest Michigan projects, including a disk golf course in New Buffalo.
“We got $200,000 towards that. Also, some money for Lincoln Township, about $400,000 for a trails and walkways project that the supervisor said he’s been really excited about for a while.”
There’s also $200,000 for a Berrien County Jail study and $200,000 for a coastal management study in St. Joseph. As for debt forgiveness for Benton Harbor Area Schools, Andrews says that will be re-approached in the fall supplemental budget due to complications caused by a lawsuit over Highland Park’s water debt. However, he’s still confident six districts around the state will get debt forgiveness. He also notes virtually every school district in Berrien County is getting a funding boost of more than $1 million due to an increase in per-pupil funding.
