ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
May 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
June 2026
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Getting back to yes: A local perspective on decommissioning, restart, and responsibility
For 45 years, Duane Arnold Energy Center operated in Linn County, Ia., near the town of Palo and just northwest of Cedar Rapids. The facility, owned by NextEra Energy, was the only nuclear power plant in the state.
In August 2020, a historic derecho swept across eastern Iowa with winds approaching 140 miles per hour. Damage to the plant’s cooling towers accelerated a shutdown that had already been planned, and the facility entered decommissioning soon after, with its fuel removed in October of that year. Iowa’s only nuclear plant had gone off line.
Today the national energy landscape looks very different than it did just six short years ago. Electricity demand is rising rapidly as data centers, artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and electrification expand across the country. Reliable, carbon-free baseload power has become increasingly valuable. In that context, Linn County has approved the rezoning necessary to support the recommissioning and restart of Duane Arnold and is actively supporting NextEra’s efforts to secure the remaining state and federal approvals.
Technical Session|Panel|Sponsored by NNPD
Tuesday, June 18, 2024|1:00–2:45PM PDT|Jasmine E
Session Chair:
Scott Wade
Alternate Chair:
James W. Behrens
Session Organizer:
Opened in 2005, the Atomic Museum provides educational and scientific displays and programs to facilitate the public’s understanding of nuclear science and technology. The Museum supports workforce development initiatives to meet the nation’s future clean energy and national security goals. The Atomic Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and also designated as a national museum. The presentation will discuss the challenges associated with opening the museum, a new STEM educational exhibit opening in 2024, and the exciting plans to reimagine the museum’s main displays in the coming years. During the Annual Conference, attendees will get half-off Atomic Museum admission when showing their conference badge.
Atomic Museum Board of Trustees
Joe Kent
Atomic Museum
Matt Malinowski
To join the conversation, you must be logged in and registered for the meeting.
Register NowLog In
