US regulators have warned Holtec International over safety issues at the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan, a project central to Donald Trump's nuclear revival agenda. The NRC cited a "chilled work environment" discouraging staff from raising safety concerns without fear of retaliation.
Incidents include a worker falling into the reactor cavity last year and a fuel rod bundle tilting during refuelling in August, delaying the anticipated first reopening of a shuttered US reactor. Nine of 15 reactor operators failed licensing exams, with only six receiving licences.
Holtec, which has never operated a nuclear plant, has secured $2.2bn in government support. The Trump administration has promoted nuclear energy as strategic for the AI race against China, slashing regulations and providing tens of billions in funding. However, investor interest has waned, with over $30bn erased from major nuclear companies' valuations in the past year.
Critics warn financial and political pressures may be increasing accident risks. Former NRC chair Allison Macfarlane cautioned that a "move fast and break things" culture threatens nuclear's need for careful, deliberate safety protocols.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing