US backs $1B loan to restart Three Mile Island nuclear reactor
The US government is putting $1 billion behind bringing Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island Unit 1 nuclear reactor back online, after it sat idle since 2019.
This move is tied to a partnership between Constellation Energy and Microsoft, aiming to help power Microsoft's growing data centers with cleaner energy as the company's carbon emissions have jumped over 23% since 2020.
Why this matters (especially for tech and clean energy)
Three Mile Island used to supply carbon-free electricity to around 800,000 homes and was a big part of the local grid.
Restarting it isn't just about powering up an old plant—it's also about tackling tech-driven emissions and supporting the US shift toward clean energy.
As Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted, this project highlights how nuclear power can boost both energy security and climate goals.
If all goes well, it could potentially open doors for more nuclear projects in the future.