Plans to Restart Iowa’s Only Nuclear Power Plant Advance
The efforts to restart the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Linn County, Iowa, are gaining momentum, supported by up to $1.9 billion in federal financing approved by the U.S. Department of Energy. Construction is already underway, aiming to bring the plant back online after its shutdown in 2020 due to damage from a derecho.
Key Developments:
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Loan Approval: The Department of Energy issued the loan to NextEra Energy through its Office of Energy Dominance Financing, aiding the overall multi-billion-dollar project for the plant’s restart.
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Economic Impact: NextEra anticipates that the project will generate over $9 billion in economic benefits for Iowa over 25 years, along with $75 million in tax revenue. The restart is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and more than 400 permanent positions once operational.
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Workforce Preparations: About half of the workforce expected to return has prior experience at Duane Arnold, with some former employees even coming out of retirement. NextEra has initiated training through a temporary center in Hiawatha, focusing on the next generation of operators.
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Regulatory Progress: NextEra has successfully obtained major permits for the restart and is now addressing smaller approvals. The Iowa Utilities Commission has issued a generating certificate, though a legal challenge is pending. Nonetheless, company leaders express confidence in overcoming this hurdle.
Timeline:
NextEra is targeting late 2028 or early 2029 for the restart of electricity generation at Duane Arnold, which is capable of producing 615 megawatts of electricity—enough to power nearly 500,000 homes. In a significant commitment, Google has entered a 25-year agreement to purchase power from the plant.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy, James Danly, emphasized the importance of preserving and reopening closed nuclear plants as part of a broader strategy to enhance nuclear energy generation.
The Duane Arnold Energy Center is evolving into an active construction site, with various projects underway to prepare for its reopening.
