It’s not just Palisades: Great Lakes water fuels a regional nuclear revival

Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000

The 800-megawatt Palisades Nuclear Plant, in Covert Township, Michigan, shuttered in 2022. Holtec International, the plant owner, is preparing to restart the facility while also planning to build a pair of 340-megawatt small modular reactors on the site. (J. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GL-Energy-Series-lead_circleofblue.jpg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GL-Energy-Series-lead_circleofblue.jpg?fit=780%2C439&ssl=1" />Restarting an aging reactor and building next-generation modular plants on the shores of the world’s largest freshwater system.

The energy boom is coming for Great Lakes water. Is Michigan ready?

Brett Walton, Circle of Blue — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Steam from St. Joseph Energy Center, a gas-fired power plant, rises over New Carlisle, Indiana, where Amazon Web Services has built a data center. (J. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2025-12-12-IN-New-Carlisle-St-Joseph-Energy-Center-JGanter-_MG_0194-Edit-2500.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2025-12-12-IN-New-Carlisle-St-Joseph-Energy-Center-JGanter-_MG_0194-Edit-2500.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />

How the region powers its growth will determine the future of the Great Lakes.

Shockwave Archives - Bridge Michigan

It’s not just Palisades: Great Lakes water fuels a regional nuclear revival

The energy boom is coming for Great Lakes water. Is Michigan ready?