Trump DOE gives Microsoft partner $1B loan to restart Three Mile Island reactor

Core Insights - The Trump administration is providing Constellation Energy with a $1 billion loan to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor, which has been offline since 2019 [1] - Microsoft has committed to purchasing all electricity generated by the 835 megawatt power plant for 20 years, facilitating the reactor's reopening [1] - The total estimated cost for the refurbishment project is $1.6 billion, with completion expected in 2028 [1] Company and Industry Summary - The deal between Microsoft and Constellation is estimated to cost around $110 to $115 per megawatt-hour over the 20-year period, which is cheaper than new nuclear plants but more expensive than wind, solar, and geothermal energy [2] - Tech companies are increasingly interested in nuclear energy due to rising power demands for data centers and AI initiatives, as evidenced by Meta's recent agreement with Constellation for clean energy attributes from a nuclear power plant [3] - The reactor being restarted is Unit 1, not the infamous Unit 2 that melted down in 1979, and it was taken offline due to reduced profitability from cheap natural gas [4] - The loan is facilitated through the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, which aims to promote clean energy technologies [4][6] - The LPO has a low default rate of 3.3% and has previously supported successful projects, including a $465 million loan to Tesla [6] - The Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment program, created under the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to restore existing power plants while reducing pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions [8]