For decades, you heard that nuclear power was so costly that only government loan guarantees could make it happen. It turns out, the private sector is willing to pay for nuclear power when it has a purpose. The drive to supply artificial intelligence with power has initiated a scramble for both new power supplies and the resuscitation of mothballed fission plants. In Palo, Iowa, Google is working with NextEra Energy to bring the Duane Arnold Energy Center back online after it was decommissioned in 2020. The Gazette’s Tom Barton reports:
While no final decision has been made, Duane Arnold Energy Center spokesperson Bill Orlove said the company is conducting engineering studies, recruiting licensed nuclear operators and working with potential customers.
If the project moves forward, Duane Arnold would add 600 megawatts of power generation, contributing to the Trump administration’s target of 5,000 megawatts of new nuclear energy by 2030. NextEra said a restart would bring “hundreds of permanent, high-quality, well-paying jobs” back to Linn County and generate millions in tax revenue
for schools and local governments.
The company stressed safety remains the top priority, noting Duane Arnold had operated safely for decades before its 2020 closure.
“Restarting a nuclear power plant is a serious undertaking,” Orlove said in a statement. “… It’s important to note that Duane Arnold Energy Center operated safely for decades, providing reliable, emissions-free energy to Eastern Iowa homes and businesses. The health and safety of the public is always our top priority. Highly trained experts run
America’s nuclear plants. With the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s oversight and layers of safety precautions, a nuclear plant is one of the safest industrial environments in the United States.
“As we continue to go through this process, we are committed to remaining engaged with local and state stakeholders.”
Action Line: America’s nuclear renaissance has just begun, and big utilities are working hard to feed Big Tech with the power the industry needs for artificial intelligence. Click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter.
