News - Clean Jobs for Pennsylvania

ONE YEAR LATER: CRANE CLEAN ENERGY CENTER STILL IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

Constellation’s restart announcement stands as a defining moment for American nuclear power, riding a wave of public support and launching widespread commercial interest in nuclear energy to power the digital economy and strengthen grid reliability

Paul Adams

Constellation Communications

667-218-7700

[email protected]

LONDONDERRY, PA (Sept. 22, 2025) – Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of Constellation’s announcement to restart Three Mile Island Unit 1 against a backdrop of rising demand for energy to support economic growth and surging public and policy support for nuclear energy across America. Renamed the Crane Clean Energy Center (Crane), the plant will help strengthen grid reliability, restore jobs and add a new source of emissions-free energy to the grid. A top-performing plant at the time of its retirement for economic reasons in 2019, Crane’s restart is made possible through a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft, marking a symbolic turning point for America’s nuclear industry by demonstrating growing market recognition of nuclear energy as uniquely valuable energy resource.

Since last year’s announcement, Constellation has accelerated the restart to 2027, hired hundreds of workers and made significant progress. The project has given momentum to state and federal policymakers and some of the world’s largest technology companies to partner with industry to increase investment in new and existing nuclear technology to power the digital economy and U.S. competitiveness.

“Six years ago, the closure of this plant symbolized more than a decade of policy failures that focused only on new clean energy resources that couldn’t match the reliability of nuclear energy, and both the security of our energy grid and air quality suffered,” said Joe Dominguez, president and CEO of Constellation. “Today it symbolizes the best in American innovation and an overdue recognition that we need to value and invest in existing sources of clean and reliable energy as we also build the grid of the future. As we confront the challenge of rising energy demand to support America’s economic growth, it’s critical that we look to Crane as a reminder of the consequences of not learning from past mistakes.”

Constellation is also pursuing investments in equipment and technology to increase the output from its existing nuclear plants in addition to the restart of Crane. Together, it could add up to 2,000 megawatts of new, clean and reliable baseload capacity to the grid.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro applauded the milestone, stating, “In Pennsylvania, we’re doubling down on our energy legacy by taking big, decisive steps to build new sources of power. As an all-of-the-above energy Governor, I hope to produce even more energy here in Pennsylvania from all sources – from natural gas and solar to geothermal to nuclear. I’m excited for projects like the Crane Clean Energy Center that will bring even more energy onto the grid because by creating more energy, we will create more opportunity for Pennsylvanians.”

Project Milestones Achieved in the Past Year

Workforce and Site Development

The facility is nearly 80% staffed, with 500 full-time employees on-site and dozens more pending. A second Initial License Training class will begin in early 2026 to allow reactor operators to train and obtain an NRC license to operate the plant.
Inspections of steam generators, main generator, emergency diesel generators, and underground piping have been completed or are near completion, alongside significant enhancements to the training center and control room simulator.

Technical and Regulatory Progress

Constellation’s interconnection request to PJM, the regional grid operator, received accelerated approval, clearing the path for grid integration and allowing Constellation to accelerate the restart to 2027.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing and regulatory filings remain on track, supported by a dedicated Restart Panel overseeing comprehensive review and inspections. Earlier this year, the NRC granted approval to rename the plant as the “Christopher M. Crane Clean Energy Center” to honor the late nuclear energy industry titan. A video on his legacy can be viewed on our website.
Continued progress with state and local environmental agencies to secure permits for water usage and environmental protection.

Economic Impact and Community Engagement

An independent economic study confirmed the plant will result in approximately 3,400 direct and indirect jobs, over $16 billion added to Pennsylvania’s GDP and more than $3 billion in state and federal tax revenue.
Constellation is making good on its commitment to community investment, including more than $1 million in charitable giving over five years to support workforce development and local organizations. In 2025, the company donated $200,000 to more than a dozen local charities, nonprofit organizations and workforce development programs.
Crane’s community engagement manager Dave Marcheskie has been meeting frequently with residents and community groups to gather feedback and offer philanthropic support. Follow Crane’s progress on our website and recently launched Instagram channel @CraneUnit1.

Bring Nuclear Jobs Back to Pennsylvania and Power America’s Future | Opinion

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by State Rep. Tom Mehaffie
Published April 23, 2025
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The future of American energy begins right here in Pennsylvania. From coal to gas to nuclear, the Keystone State has long driven America’s energy story. As global competition intensifies and energy demands continue to rise, now is the time to double down on what works.

The restart of Three Mile Island’s Unit 1, now the Crane Clean Energy Center, is just the beginning.

With continued federal support and the smart, long-term investments we’re making in nuclear energy, Pennsylvania will lead the way in power generation for decades to come.

Rep. Tom Mehaffie: I fought to prevent Three Mile Island from closing; now I’m celebrating its rebirth

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by Rep. Tom Mehaffie
Published October 23, 2024
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Three Mile Island has been a cornerstone of my life since childhood. As a proud member of IBEW 143, my father provided for our family through the wages he earned at TMI. Thanks to his job, we never had to worry about making ends meet. He was able to retire with dignity, supported by a pension and benefits that ensured our family’s well-being.

Constellation, in first media tour since decommissioning, says Three Mile Island in good shape to ‘turn back on again’

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by Seth Kaplan
Published October 16, 2024
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DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — They gave tours like this one back in the 1970s, when the reactor was new, and the visuals aren’t too different: lots of big analog dials in the main control room of Three Mile Island’s Unit One, with a smattering of touchscreens and other newer technology.

And the vintage technology — or what passed for technology in 1974 — is just fine with the people who run the place. For one thing, no risk of hacking for equipment not networked with cyber-anything. For another?

With potential re-start to come, get an inside look at Three Mile Island

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by Tom Lehman
Published October 16, 2024
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LONDONDERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — With plans to reopen the nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island revealed last month, WGAL was able to tour the facility on Wednesday as the operator embarks on a years-long plan to restart one of the reactor units in Dauphin County.

Constellation Energy says it wants to restart Reactor Unit 1 at Three Mile Island, which was the site of the worst commercial nuclear disaster in U.S. history after the adjacent reactor experienced a partial meltdown in 1979.

Reopening Three Mile Island Unit 1 would re-energize Central PA

by Joe Gusler
Published October 4, 2024
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Reopening TMI Unit 1 is huge shot in the arm for PA Building Trades

News that Constellation Energy, the owner of Three Mile Island Unit 1, will be reopening the nuclear power plant is a huge shot in the arm for the 130,000 building and construction trades workers I am privileged to represent in Pennsylvania. Constellation is calling it the Crane Clean Energy Center; I call it some of the best news I’ve heard in a long time.

Three Mile Island deal signals hope for jobs, power grid, and Pennsylvania’s future

by Rep. Tom Mehaffie
Published October 1, 2024
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When PJM Interconnection updated its projections to say the regional power grid will need an additional 300,000 gigawatt hours of electricity to meet annual demand by 2039, alarm bells sounded in my mind. That figure exceeds the total of what is already produced in Pennsylvania each year.

Time for Pennsylvania to speed up the transition to clean energy

by Flora Cardoni
Published January 11, 2024
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As Pennsylvanians are taking stock of 2023 and setting resolutions for 2024, our elected officials should be setting some resolutions of their own to more rapidly transition the Keystone State to clean energy. Data shows that as states across the country tap into the clean energy economy, Pennsylvania has fallen behind.

PA. Lawmakers Debate Proposal to Raise State's Renewable Energy Goal

by Rachel McDevitt
Published January 3, 2024
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A bill in the state House would increase the amount of electricity Pennsylvania gets from renewable sources. The proposal would up Pennsylvania’s renewable energy goals from 8% now to 30% by 2030.