Federal regulators discuss future of Palisades with residents [Video]

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (WOOD) — Will the palisades nuclear power plant be ready to reopen next summer? That’s what the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is working to find out.

The panel met with dozens of people in the community who showed up with concerns Wednesday night at Lake Michigan College.

“If you start up again it’s bound to have a major failing which would be horrendous for the community,” said resident Jim Zerbi.

Zerbi is one of dozens of people who showed up at Lake Michigan college Wednesday night ready to ask questions and raise concerns. He doesn’t want the Palisades nuclear plant to reopen.

“Absolutely not. Take that money put it into solar and wind,” Zerbi said.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which is inspecting the Palisades nuclear plant near South Haven, said the process to reopen the plant may be a long journey.

On March 27, the federal government announced a $1.5 billion conditional commitmentto support the reopening of Palisades. The …