Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed an executive order establishing a task force focused on advancing and developing nuclear energy technology and infrastructure in the state.
Creation of the Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force, per the order she signed Monday, Jan. 5, comes as NextEra Energy is looking to restart Iowa’s only nuclear energy plant, the Duane Arnold plant in Palo near Cedar Rapids. The panel will advise her, Iowa lawmakers and relevant state agencies on nuclear energy.
“Nuclear energy is a vital part of Iowa’s energy future, and I am committed to advancing reliable, sustainable energy solutions that strengthen our energy independence and fuel economic growth,” Reynolds said in a statement. “With our strong foundation in manufacturing and energy innovation, we are uniquely positioned to lead the nation in developing and deploying nuclear technologies.
“The creation of the Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force marks a strategic step forward, ensuring the safe, efficient and responsible integration of nuclear energy into our energy portfolio.”
NextEra, a Florida-based utility, has said the eastern Iowa nuclear plant should be operational by the first quarter of 2029, pending regulatory approvals, after it was shut down in 2020 after suffering damage in that year’s derecho. Google has signed a 25-year agreement to buy power from the plant.
Once operational, the 615-megawatt nuclear generating facility will give Google “24/7 carbon-free energy” to power the California tech giant’s “growing cloud and AI infrastructure in Iowa, while also strengthening local grid reliability,” NextEra said in an October news release.
In Reynolds’ January 2025 Condition of the State address, she said Iowa needed to take a “serious” look at nuclear energy, including creating a task force.
“I’ll be bringing together experts to look at issues like permitting, which often takes too long,” Reynolds said. “They’ll also look at workforce challenges, because recruiting nuclear engineers doesn’t happen overnight. And they’ll be talking with stakeholders around the state to make sure we have local buy-in.”
Who will serve on the task force?
Reynolds has tapped Mark Nutt, director of Nuclear Energy Programs at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and an Iowa native, to chair the task force. It will be made up of at least 11 members who represent utilities, power production companies, local government, academia, the Iowa Utilities Commission and the General Assembly.
“I’m honored to serve as chair of the Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force,” Nutt said. “As a graduate of Iowa State University’s Nuclear Engineering program, I’m grateful for the opportunity to apply my background to help evaluate how nuclear energy can responsibly and effectively benefit Iowans. This is an exciting time to explore innovative solutions for Iowa’s energy future.”
Other task force members include:
What will the task force do?
The task force is responsible for:
The task force must submit its final report detailing its findings and recommendations to the governor within 180 days, Reynolds ordered.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Gov. Kim Reynolds creates Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force. Who’s on it?
Reporting by Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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