The Linn County Board of Supervisors has scheduled its final two public meetings to consider a rezoning application for the Duane Arnold Energy Center nuclear facility.
The board will hold second consideration of the rezoning application Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center, 935 Second St. SW in Cedar Rapids. The third and final consideration is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. at the same location.
The board unanimously voted to approve the first reading of the rezoning application Jan. 5, following a formal public hearing. The application seeks zoning approval to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear power facility in Linn County.
Public comment will be accepted during both meetings, with time limits on speakers. Comments can also be submitted in advance to [email protected] and will be summarized by county staff at the meetings
The rezoning would mark the latest local step in an extensive procedural process that could culminate in the restart of the Duane Arnold plant near Palo, which was shut down in late 2020 after 45 years of continuous operation. The process will also require approval from multiple state and federal regulatory authorities, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, before a restart can occur.
Several local residents and economic development officials spoke in favor of the rezoning during Monday’s public hearing Monday, saying the plant will help address a newfound surge in electrical demand driven by AI and data center developments and will generate hundreds of new jobs, both during construction of new facilities at the plant and the ongoing operation of the plant itself.
Google has signed an agreement with NextEra Energy, the plant’s majority owner, to purchase the majority of the power from a restarted Duane Arnold, spurring hopes that the plant’s restart will be approved.
If a restart is approved, NextEra officials estimate the plant could restart in late 2028 or early 2029.
