Constellation Speeds Up Crane Clean Energy Center Launch
Just five months after announcing a landmark power purchase agreement with Microsoft to restart Three Mile Island Unit 1 and launch the Crane Clean Energy Center, Constellation is ahead of schedule on several key workstreams. The project represents a significant step forward in the clean energy sector, bringing economic benefits and reinforcing Pennsylvania’s role in nuclear energy production.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
An independent economic impact study determined that the restart will create 3,400 direct and indirect jobs, adding $16 billion to the state’s GDP and generating more than $3 billion in state and federal taxes. This infusion of jobs and economic activity underscores the broader significance of the Crane Clean Energy Center, not just as an energy production site, but as a key driver of economic revitalization in the region.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized the importance of nuclear energy in the state’s broader energy strategy. “Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy sector plays a critical role in providing safe, reliable, clean electricity – that’s why my Administration has been engaged in plans to launch the Crane Clean Energy Center to create thousands of jobs, ensure the reliability of our energy grid, and cement the Commonwealth’s position as a national energy leader,” he said.
Shapiro also pointed to his recently proposed energy plan aimed at fostering new energy projects in Pennsylvania. “I look forward to continuing that work to speed up the development of new energy generation here in Pennsylvania,” he added.
Hiring and Site Readiness
To date, Constellation has hired more than 200 full-time employees for a variety of skilled positions, with dozens more slated to join in the coming weeks. The company plans to hire more than 600 employees prior to the restart, in addition to hundreds of highly skilled contractors sourced primarily from local union halls. These contractors will play a crucial role in supporting the center’s safe opening and daily operations.
Work is also underway to train and license reactor operators and senior reactor operators. In preparation for the workforce expansion, Constellation has fully restored the main office building and is nearing completion on enhancements to the training center and control room simulator. These improvements will help ensure that the next generation of workers is equipped with the necessary skills and expertise to operate the plant at world-class safety and performance levels.
Among the recent hires are Tori and Quinn VanderMeersch, a married couple who previously worked at the plant before its closure. “After five years, it’s like coming home,” said Tori, who now serves as Senior Manager of Operations Support and Services. “We’re excited to be part of this new chapter at the Crane Clean Energy Center and to return to the community where we met to raise our family.”
The project is already having a noticeable economic impact on local businesses. “With only a few hundred workers on site, local restaurants and businesses are already feeling a significant boost,” said Bart Shellenhamer, a member of the Londonderry Township Board of Supervisors. “We look forward to welcoming new families to the area and leveraging the many benefits that the restart will bring.”
Inspections, Upgrades, and New Equipment Purchases
Thousands of inspections and equipment upgrades are underway to ensure a safe and efficient restart. To date, workers have conducted rigorous inspections on critical components, including the steam generator, main generator, rotor, turbines, feedwater heaters, and condensers. Each of these inspections is essential to verifying the operational integrity of the plant and ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards.
One of the largest new equipment purchases required for the restart is the construction of three new main power transformers. This contract has been awarded, and Constellation has allocated an additional $35 million to ensure the safe transportation and installation of the massive transformers in 2026. This effort will leverage American rigging experts, electrical specialists, skilled craft workers, and installers to facilitate seamless integration into the plant’s infrastructure.
Licensing and Regulatory Filings
Constellation has filed an interconnection request with PJM to allow the Crane Clean Energy Center to contribute its 835 megawatts of emissions-free power to the grid. The company remains on track to file all required licensing and regulatory documents with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which has the ultimate authority to approve the restart.
In a commitment to transparency and community engagement, Constellation participated in the NRC’s first public meeting about the Crane Clean Energy Center on October 25, followed by the submission of its initial restart plan on November 4. A second NRC public meeting is scheduled for today, during which Constellation will provide an overview of its emergency plan.
On January 13, Constellation filed a license amendment request to officially rename Three Mile Island Unit 1 as the Crane Clean Energy Center, honoring former company CEO Chris Crane, a staunch advocate for commercial nuclear power. All regulatory filings related to the restart are available for public viewing on the NRC’s website dedicated to the Crane project.
Community Engagement and Outreach
Constellation is taking proactive steps to engage with the local community, ensuring that residents and stakeholders remain informed about the project’s progress. The company has committed to donating more than $1 million over the next five years to support workforce development and nonprofit organizations serving the surrounding communities.
Initial donations include $25,000 to the Lower Dauphin Communities That Care Bookmobile and its Preschool Literacy Program, as well as $2,500 to support the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania. Constellation plans to significantly expand its charitable giving efforts in 2025.
Angela Durantine, Program Director of Lower Dauphin Communities That Care, expressed appreciation for the renewed support. “We can’t tell you how much it means to have the renewed support of Constellation,” she said. “Since the Bookmobile is our largest expense, it’s great to know that we have the funds to cover those costs as well as being able to expand reading programs for area youth.”
Beyond financial contributions, Constellation representatives have been actively engaging with state and local officials, business groups, emergency management agencies, and civic organizations. Dave Marcheskie, Constellation’s community engagement manager, has been leading outreach efforts, providing updates through facility tours, community meetings, and events.
For those interested in following the project’s developments, Constellation has dedicated a section of its website to provide the latest updates and milestones associated with the Crane Clean Energy Center.
