Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves License Transfer for Palisades Nuclear Plant

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved the direct transfer of operating authority for the Palisades Nuclear Plant (PNP) and the general license for the Palisades Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) from Holtec Decommissioning (International, LLC (HDI) to Palisades Energy, LLC (OPCO). This transfer is part of the regulatory approvals necessary to reauthorize power operations at PNP.

Palisades Nuclear Plant is located in Covert, Michigan, and is owned by Holtec Palisades, LLC. The NRC staff has determined that Holtec Palisades and OPCO are qualified to hold the licenses to the extent proposed in the application. The transfer of the licenses is consistent with the applicable provisions of law, regulations, and orders issued by the NRC.

The NRC staff has also approved a conforming administrative amendment to the facility license to reflect the direct transfer of the license from HDI to OPCO. This license transfer is effective upon issuance of the order, and the license amendment shall be issued and made effective immediately.

The NRC has a rigorous safety evaluation process to ensure that the activities authorized by the proposed license amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public and that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations. The findings set forth above are supported by an NRC safety evaluation dated July 24, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• The NRC has approved the direct transfer of operating authority for the Palisades Nuclear Plant (PNP) and the general license for the Palisades Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) from Holtec Decommissioning (International, LLC (HDI) to Palisades Energy, LLC (OPCO).
• The transfer is part of the regulatory approvals necessary to reauthorize power operations at PNP.
• Palisades Nuclear Plant is owned by Holtec Palisades, LLC and is located in Covert, Michigan.
• The NRC staff has determined that Holtec Palisades and OPCO are qualified to hold the licenses to the extent proposed in the application.
• The transfer of the licenses is consistent with the applicable provisions of law, regulations, and orders issued by the NRC.
• A conforming administrative amendment to the facility license was approved to reflect the direct transfer of the license from HDI to OPCO.
• The license transfer is effective upon issuance of the order, and the license amendment shall be issued and made effective immediately.
• The NRC has a rigorous safety evaluation process to ensure that the activities authorized by the proposed license amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public.
• The findings set forth above are supported by an NRC safety evaluation dated July 24, 2025.

Statistics:

• Palisades Nuclear Plant is located in Covert, Michigan.
• The plant is owned by Holtec Palisades, LLC.
• The NRC staff has approved the transfer of the licenses for the Palisades Nuclear Plant and the Palisades ISFSI.
• The transfer of the licenses is effective upon issuance of the order.
• The NRC has a safety evaluation process to ensure that the activities authorized by the proposed license amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public.
• The NRC staff has determined that Holtec Palisades and OPCO are qualified to hold the licenses to the extent proposed in the application.

Sources:

• "Order Approving the Direct Transfer of Licenses and Conforming Amendment" (FR Doc. 2025-15921, Filed 8-19-25)
• "Notice of Consideration of Approval of the License Transfer Application and Conforming Amendment to the License" (Federal Register, 89 FR 64493, August 7, 2024)
• "Application for the Proposed License Amendment" (Holtec Decommissioning International, LLC, December 6, 2023)
• "NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)" (https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html)