DTE Energy’s Fermi 2 Nuclear Power Plant, located in Frechtown Township, received its renewed license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday, Dec. 16, ensuring the plant can continue producing electricity until 2045. The NRC approved the license renewal after two years of extensive review of Fermi 2, DTE’s only nuclear power plant. The original operating license would have expired on March 20, 2025.
Prior to filing for renewal, DTE spent two years developing comprehensive technical and environmental studies and the NRC has conducted in-depth evaluations of their results to ensure Fermi 2 will have the programs in place to operate safely for the coming years.
“This is excellent news for Monroe County and Michigan,” says Paul Fessler, senior vice president and chief nuclear officer at Fermi 2. “Continued operation of Fermi 2 ensures a consistent supply of clean, safe energy for our customers. Fermi 2 is an important part of DTE’s balanced approach to providing energy to the community.”
Fessler added that the renewal process was lengthy because safety was both parties’ main priority, and that he feels confident Fermi 2 can continue to operate safely well into the future.
Fermi 2 has been in operation since 1985 and the plant has produced more than 200 million megawatt hours of energy during nearly 29 years of operation.
“License renewal is a very cost-effective way to meet the continuing needs of residents and businesses in the region,” Fessler said. “We’re very proud to be a part of this community and honored that we’ll be here for many more years to come.”
