U.S. Energy Secretary Christopher Wright said the nation’s electric grid must be built to withstand peak demand as energy consumption accelerates nationwide. The remarks come as plans advance to restart the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Pennsylvania, signaling renewed federal support for nuclear energy as a pillar of grid reliability.
Speaking about rising electricity needs driven by manufacturing growth, artificial intelligence data centers, and broader electrification, Wright warned that the grid cannot be engineered for average demand. He stated that infrastructure must be capable of sustaining the highest load levels to prevent blackouts and system failures. Grid reliability, he noted, is directly tied to public safety and economic stability.
The planned restart involves Unit 1 of the facility at Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station, which will operate under the new name Crane Clean Energy Center. The plant previously shut down in 2019 for economic reasons, despite producing carbon-free baseload power. Federal support, including loan financing, is expected to help bring the unit back online in the coming years.
Wright emphasized that dependable baseload sources such as nuclear power are essential as intermittent renewable sources expand. He argued that without consistent generation capacity, the grid becomes vulnerable during extreme weather or demand spikes. Energy planners have increasingly warned that population growth and technology expansion are straining transmission systems in several regions.
The revival of Three Mile Island represents a broader shift in U.S. energy policy that prioritizes reliability alongside environmental goals. Supporters argue that modern nuclear operations offer safe, emissions-free power that strengthens national energy independence. The administration maintains that strengthening domestic energy infrastructure is critical to sustaining economic growth and protecting American households from future grid instability.
