TMI Seeks More Susquehanna River Water for Planned Restart

Nuclear plant's owner requests increased water draw as it aims to reopen in 2027.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:08pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a polished metal water valve, a glass beaker filled with clear water, and a sleek, modern water pipe, arranged elegantly on a clean, white background to symbolize the complex issues surrounding water resources and infrastructure.A minimalist still life of the tools and infrastructure that underpin the debate over the Susquehanna River's water resources.Harrisburg Today

The operators of the nuclear power plant formerly known as Three Mile Island's unit 1 have asked the Susquehanna River Basin Commission to increase the amount of water the facility can draw from the river. The plant, now owned by Constellation Energy and rechristened as the Christopher M. Crane Clean Energy Center, is currently permitted to draw a maximum of 44 million gallons of water per day from the river, but if and when the plant restarts in 2027, it will require much more water to operate. Constellation has asked the commission to increase its permitted maximum draw from the river to 73.2 million gallons per day.

Why it matters

The restart of the TMI nuclear plant is a significant event, as it will provide 835 megawatts of carbon-free electricity to power Microsoft's data centers. However, the increased water draw from the Susquehanna River has raised concerns about the potential impact on the local ecosystem and water supply.

The details

Constellation Energy, the owner of the TMI nuclear plant, has entered an agreement with Microsoft to purchase the 835 megawatts of electricity the plant is capable of producing to power its data centers. The company also received $1 billion in loans from the federal government to finance the $1.6 billion restart. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold a public hearing on April 23 to discuss Constellation's request to increase the plant's permitted maximum water draw from 44 million gallons per day to 73.2 million gallons per day.

  • The public hearing on Constellation's request will be held on April 23, 2026.
  • The Susquehanna River Basin Commission expects to take action on Constellation's proposal on June 4, 2026.

The players

Constellation Energy

The owner of the nuclear power plant formerly known as Three Mile Island's unit 1, which it has rechristened as the Christopher M. Crane Clean Energy Center.

Susquehanna River Basin Commission

The regulatory body that oversees the use of water resources in the Susquehanna River basin, including the water draw request from Constellation Energy.

Microsoft

The technology company that has entered an agreement with Constellation Energy to purchase the 835 megawatts of electricity the TMI nuclear plant is capable of producing to power its data centers.

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What they’re saying

“The encourages members of the public wishing to provide oral comments to pre-register by emailing Jason Oyler at joyler@srbc.gov before the hearing date.”

— Jason Oyler, Secretary to the Commission, Susquehanna River Basin Commission

What’s next

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold a public hearing on April 23, 2026 to discuss Constellation Energy's request to increase the water draw from the Susquehanna River for the TMI nuclear plant. The commission is expected to take action on the proposal on June 4, 2026.

The takeaway

The restart of the TMI nuclear plant is a significant development, as it will provide carbon-free electricity to power Microsoft's data centers. However, the increased water draw from the Susquehanna River has raised concerns about the potential impact on the local ecosystem and water supply, which will be a key focus of the upcoming public hearing and commission decision.