us energy department

The U.S. Department of Energy is throwing a $1.52 billion lifeline to try and reopen the Palisades Nuclear Plant in southwest Michigan. Instead of working to eventually tear the hulking plant down, the plant's new owners are hoping to make history, becoming the first completely shuttered nuclear plant to restart operations.

The federal government intends to lend the owners of the Palisades nuclear power plant $1.5 billion to restart the facility, with the State of Michigan budgeting another $300 million.

The Michigan State University Board of Trustees have agreed to move ahead with a half billion dollar nuclear research project, even though federal funding…