Three Mile Island Revival Sparks Data Centre Backlash Amid AI Boom

Constellation Energy is pushing ahead with plans to revive the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania, despite growing public backlash against data centres and their energy demands. The reactor suffered a partial meltdown in 1979.

The restart of the plant's Unit 1, now renamed the Crane Clean Energy Centre, is rooted in the AI boom, which needs massive amounts of power to fuel its data centres. Constellation Energy has partnered with Microsoft on a deal that will provide energy for the tech giant's data centres in exchange for a 20-year power purchase agreement.

However, public sentiment about AI and data centres has turned sour, with communities objecting to noise pollution, water consumption, and rising electricity bills. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed new rules and regulations this week aimed at making data centre developers more accountable to residents.

Despite the governor's support for the project, opponents of the Three Mile Island restart are challenging it in federal court. Eric Epstein, director of Three Mile Island Alert, highlighted safety concerns and a $1 billion taxpayer loan provided to Constellation Energy to expedite the restart.