U.S. Energy Department Closes $1 Billion Loan for Restart of Pennsylvania’s Crane Nuclear Reactor

The U.S. Department of Energy on Nov. 18 approved a $1 billion loan for Constellation Energy Generation to restart the Crane Clean Energy Center in Londonderry Township, Pennsylvania. The project involves bringing an 835-megawatt reactor back online to lower electricity costs and provide a reliable source of power for the PJM Interconnection region. The action advances President Donald Trump’s executive order Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base and supports the administration’s focus on expanding reliable domestic energy supply.

Financing for this project is provided through the Energy Dominance Financing Program created under the Working Families Tax Cut. The Crane project is the first under the current administration to secure a conditional commitment and achieve financial close at the same time. The reactor, which ceased operations in 2019, was never fully decommissioned, allowing preparations for restart to proceed once licensing approvals from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are completed. Federal support for nuclear restarts has expanded in recent years, including financing efforts to reopen the Palisades plant in Michigan.

Once operational, the facility is expected to generate enough power for about 800,000 homes and create 600 jobs during construction and ongoing operation. Officials stated that bringing the unit back online will help stabilize prices, address reliability concerns and support long term regional competitiveness.

The loan reflects a broader federal strategy to modernize and maintain the nuclear fleet, expand clean energy supply and reinforce the resilience of the national electricity system.