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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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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.
Thursday, April 4, 2024|7:00AM–4:00PM EDT
Sponsored by: Constellation
Tour Description:
Attendees will visit the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Station, site of the 1979 Unit-2 accident and an active decommissioning site. The tour will be guided by Constellation and EnergySolutions employees.
Logistics:
Those who registered, please check in inside Hallowell Nuclear Innovation Commons between 7:15 and 7:45 AM. Bus S will begin loading at Fullington Trailways Terminal at 8:00 AM sharp and depart shortly after. Lunch will be provided. The bus will return around 4:00 PM, and everyone should immediately proceed to the registration help desk in Hallowell 110 before going to the Bryce Jordan Center Opening Banquet.
