Sioux City, Iowa — A northwest Iowa county is looking at changing its zoning code to permit nuclear power. Woodbury County Supervisor Mark Nelson says for the county to grow, more power is needed, and that could include a small water nuclear reactor.
Nelson says a small water nuclear reactor would help provide enough energy for a major employer, including a data center.
Nelson says there isn’t a specific project in the works and, if one were to happen, it would take a minimum of ten years. MidAmerican Energy currently operates two coal plants in Woodbury County. Environmental groups say coal-fired power plants cause higher rates of asthma and other health issues. A public hearing was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Woodbury County to discuss a zoning change for nuclear power plants.
Iowa’s only nuclear power plant opened 50 years ago, but is no longer operating. The owner of the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in eastern Iowa, near Palo, is considering whether to bring the plant back online to meet growing electricity demand. The plant was scheduled to be decommissioned permanently in the fall of 2020, but was shut down early due to damage from the derecho in August of 2020.
(Reporting by Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)
KIWA Staff File Photo
