Nuclear energy jobs are back – and powering Central PA communities

The cloud-like water vapor rising from the cooling towers over the Susquehanna River has been a familiar sight for generations of Central Pennsylvanians. While that vapor has not yet returned to the former Three Mile Island Unit-1, something just as important has: the jobs. Many workers are former neighbors who left in 2019 and are now coming home to power up our communities once again. As local lawmakers representing this region who work every day to support economic development, we think it’s a story deserving of more attention. 

The restart of operations at the Crane Clean Energy Center (formerly TMI Unit 1) marks a rare and welcome chapter in Central Pennsylvania’s economic story. For years, communities across the country have grown accustomed to the painful reality of energy plant closures – jobs lost, tax bases eroded, and families forced to relocate in search of opportunity. We experienced that loss firsthand just six years ago. That is why what we are witnessing today is so remarkable: not the loss of hundreds of good-paying jobs, but their return.

When Three Mile Island Unit 1 shut down in 2019, it represented more than the end of a facility’s operations. It was the loss of a highly skilled workforce and a key economic engine for Dauphin County and the surrounding region. Workers who had dedicated decades to safe, reliable energy production suddenly faced uncertainty. Local businesses, from restaurants to contractors, felt the ripple effects almost immediately. It was a sobering reminder of how interconnected our energy infrastructure is with the health of our communities.

Today, with the Crane Clean Energy Center bringing jobs back, we have an opportunity to reverse that narrative. It is exceedingly uncommon to see an energy facility reopen in a way that restores hundreds of family-sustaining jobs. In most cases, closures are permanent, and communities are left to rebuild from scratch. Here in Middletown and the surrounding region, however, we are seeing something different: a second chance.

These returning jobs are not just numbers on a balance sheet. They are careers that support families, sustain local economies and provide long-term stability. Nuclear energy jobs, in particular, are among the most skilled and best-compensated in the energy sector. They require rigorous training, technical expertise, and a commitment to safety that has long defined the workforce at Three Mile Island. The return of these positions signals renewed investment not only in infrastructure, but in people.

Beyond the direct employment impact, the reopening of the Crane Clean Energy Center will once again generate significant economic activity throughout the region. Local suppliers, service providers, and small businesses will benefit from increased demand. Schools and municipalities will see strengthened tax revenues, helping fund essential services and community improvements. The building trades will also play a critical role in refueling and maintenance, bringing in a temporary workforce in the hundreds. In this way, the benefits of these jobs extend far beyond the plant’s gates.

It’s also worth noting that plant owner Constellation is living up to its promise to support local nonprofits philanthropically. Those contributions already are benefitting our first responders, schools and food banks, among others. 

There is also a broader energy conversation at play. As our nation works to meet growing electricity demand while reducing emissions, nuclear energy offers a reliable, carbon-free source of power. Facilities like Crane are uniquely positioned to provide consistent energy generation regardless of weather conditions, supporting grid stability and complementing other clean energy sources. For Pennsylvania, a state with a proud energy heritage, this matters. The deal struck between plant owner Constellation and Microsoft allows the energy to be transmitted to the grid, powering homes and businesses in the region. 

Importantly, this moment reflects what can be achieved through collaboration. The return of these jobs did not happen overnight, nor did it occur in a vacuum. It required coordination among industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and the community. It also stands as a rare example of genuine bipartisan alignment in today’s political climate. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright have both recently visited Crane and voiced strong support for this project, recognizing its economic and energy significance. At a time when agreement across party lines can be difficult to find, the Crane Clean Energy Center demonstrates that supporting American jobs and strengthening our energy future can unite leaders from both sides of the aisle. 

We proudly count ourselves as examples of that bipartisan support. The two of us come from different backgrounds and perspectives, but we share a common commitment to the people and communities we serve. The reopening of the Crane Clean Energy Center is a reminder that economic progress need not be a zero-sum game. We can preserve good-paying jobs, support local businesses and advance our energy goals at the same time.

For the workers who have already returned to the site, this is a moment of pride and renewed purpose. For the region, it is a sign of resilience. And for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is proof that with the right vision, partnership and cooperation across party lines, even the most unlikely comebacks are possible.