Iowa Research Promotes Nuclear Energy Industry Development

The Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force released a report stating that, leveraging experience in deploying new energy technologies, a strong manufacturing base, workforce conditions, and the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant restart plan, Iowa is well-positioned to play a greater role in the growing nuclear energy industry.

NextEra Energy has agreed to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant, primarily to supply power to Google. Image courtesy of NextEra Energy.

The task force was established by Iowa's governor in January of this year with the mission of assessing opportunities for advancing nuclear energy technology and infrastructure in the state. The report recommends that Iowa conduct a statewide nuclear energy feasibility study, identify areas suitable for new nuclear project development, and establish a one-stop coordination window to facilitate nuclear project advancement.

The report also proposes that Iowa consider statewide incentives targeting the nuclear energy industry, support the growth of related businesses, and promote policy adjustments at the state level that favor nuclear reactor investment. Additionally, the state should expand nuclear-related workforce training, coordinate incentive policies with the federal government, and seek federal funding support.

The report concludes that nuclear power plants can become economically competitive with other power generation facilities when utilities and project developers are able to fully leverage federal financial incentives, reasonably assess the local economic benefits brought by nuclear plants, and share project risks based on each party's capacity to bear them. The report also recommends that Iowa plan ahead for spent nuclear fuel management.

Mark Nutt, chair of the Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force, stated that as energy demand continues to grow in Iowa, the Midwest region, and across the nation, nuclear energy has the potential to provide stable, reliable electricity. Task force members come from utility companies, power generation firms, local governments, and academic institutions.

The Duane Arnold nuclear power plant restart plan is a key element in discussions on nuclear energy development in Iowa. In October 2025, U.S. power company NextEra Energy agreed to restart the plant, primarily to supply power to Google to support its efforts to secure clean electricity for artificial intelligence data centers.

Under the arrangement, Google has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement. NextEra Energy will be responsible for the plant's redevelopment. The Duane Arnold nuclear power plant has been shut down for five years, and restart costs are estimated to exceed $1.6 billion. The plant is a single 601 MW boiling water reactor unit, and NextEra Energy expects it to begin supplying power in 2029.

The Duane Arnold nuclear power plant entered commercial operation in February 1975 and was shut down in October 2020. The plant was originally scheduled for permanent decommissioning in October 2020, but on August 10, 2020, it automatically tripped after storm-related high winds damaged the cooling towers and caused a loss of offsite power, and it has not been restarted since.