(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/05/2024) The Wolverine Power Cooperative is receiving a share of a $7.3 billion federal grant so it can provide even lower electricity costs once the Palisades Nuclear Plant is back up and running, the White House announced on Thursday.  

The money is being split up among 16 projects across the country designed to lower electricity costs in rural areas. The goal is the Inflation Reduction Act spending will result in a $29 billion investment in lowering the cost and improving the reliability of power in rural areas.  

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the project will provide “clear, reliable electricity" for 300,000 homes, businesses and farms across Michigan.  

“This is another critical step in our collaboration with the administration to restart the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, protecting 600 union jobs and supporting 1,100 more in the community,” Whitmer said. “We are showing the world that Michigan will continue to lead the future in clean energy.”  

The new grant is among the first awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. It’s being funded through the Inflation Reduction Act.  

Palisades is a Southwest Michigan nuclear plant that was shut down shortly after it was sold to Holtec in June 2022. In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a decision to issue a conditional commitment for an up to $1.52 billion loan to restart the plant. The Governor and Michigan kicked in another $300 million to make the power plant restart a reality. Neither the White House nor the Governor's office made it clear how large of a share Palisades is getting from the $7.3 billion. 

Before it was shuttered, the plant employed 600 workers making an average of $117,845 a year. In all, 1,100 local jobs were supported by the plant.