Aerial view of Three Mile Island near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
John S. Zeedick—Hulton Archive/Getty Images/EB
A shuttered nuclear power plant with a history marred by a major meltdown is getting a second chance. Microsoft has inked a deal to purchase energy from one of the reactors at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, the site of the infamous 1979 nuclear accident.
This 20-year power purchase agreement, secured with Constellation Energy, aims to provide clean energy for Microsoft’s data centers, supporting their growing AI and cloud storage needs. The move comes as tech giants increasingly turn to nuclear power to meet their energy demands.
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The decision to reopen Three Mile Island’s Unit 1, which was closed in 2019, is not without controversy. The plant’s history, including the worst nuclear meltdown in U.S. history, has raised concerns about safety and environmental impact. However, proponents argue that nuclear power offers a reliable and carbon-free energy source, critical for powering data centers and combating climate change.
The project is expected to generate a significant number of jobs and contribute to the local economy. However, critics worry about the potential impact on power grid reliability and affordability, as tech companies gain priority access to electricity.
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Despite the controversy, this move signifies the growing role of nuclear energy in powering the tech industry’s future, even as it navigates the complexities of public perception and environmental concerns.
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