By James Windell
If you noticed that trees have been cut down near the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant along Blue Star Highway, there is an explanation.
Some area residents have raised concerns about number of trees that have been cut down.
Holtec acknowledges that tree clearing has been under way on the Palisades site and a Holtec representative says that this work is part of site preparation for the deployment of next-generation small modular reactors (SMRs) at Palisades.
According to Nick Culp, Senior Manager of Government Affairs and Communications for Holtec International, Holtec is preparing the site for two planned 340-megawatt small modular reactor units – Holtec’s SMR-300 – which together would provide an additional 680 megawatts of safe, reliable, and clean electricity.
“Once operational, the SMRs would generate electricity equivalent to the annual electricity needs of approximately 700,000 homes and would nearly double the site’s energy generation capacity,” says Culp. “This additional baseload power comes at an important time to meet both current and future electricity demand.”
Culp went on to say that tree clearing began in early January and is being conducted under approved local and state environmental permits. “The work is limited to areas necessary for future construction,” Culp says. “These activities were carefully planned to minimize environmental effects and protect surrounding natural resources. As the project advances, Holtec intends to incorporate site restoration and new plantings as part of long-term development.”
This early site work, according to Culp, follows major milestones reached late last year. In December, Holtec received a $400 million federal matching grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support SMR deployment at Palisades and submitted the first part of its Construction Permit Application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “These steps reflect strong progress, as well as broad support from federal, state, and local leaders who recognize the role nuclear energy can play in meeting future electricity demand and strengthening grid reliability,” Culp notes.
Asked about local and state permits and approvals for clearing trees, Culp says that necessary approvals were granted to Holtec.
“The tree clearing and early site preparation work is being conducted under applicable local approvals, including soil erosion and sediment control requirements and land-use permissions administered at the county and township level, and in compliance with applicable state environmental requirements,” he says. “These permits govern how and when clearing can occur and include measures to protect land, water, and surrounding natural resources.”
Culp adds that Holtec remains committed to transparency and community engagement as planning and regulatory review continue. “We will provide updates as the project progresses,” he says.
