Iowa’s energy future includes Nuclear

Iowans don’t like to sit still. We’re known for our work ethic, common sense, and ability to adapt. That same mindset is what’s made Iowa a leader in clean energy — especially wind.

Today, nearly 60% of Iowa’s electricity comes from wind. That’s an incredible achievement. But it also raises a question: What happens when the wind doesn’t blow?

With Iowa’s economy growing — fueled by tech expansion, data centers, and precision agriculture — our electricity needs are only going up. We need power that’s not just clean, but reliable and always available. That’s where nuclear comes in.

With The Gazette reporting that the Duane Arnold Energy Center, Iowa’s only nuclear power plant, might restart by 2028 is just one sign of where things are headed. But this isn’t just about one facility. It’s part of a much bigger picture.

Gov. Kim Reynolds’ 2024 Iowa Energy Strategy called for exactly this kind of balanced, forward-looking approach. Her plan highlights nuclear power alongside wind, storage, and smart grid upgrades, recognizing that Iowa can’t power tomorrow’s economy without an all of the above energy mix.

Nuclear power is clean, consistent, and always-on. It runs through snowstorms, calm nights, and heat waves, which wind and solar can’t do on their own. In fact, nuclear plants operate at full capacity over 90% of the time, far more than any other source. It’s not a replacement for renewables; it’s renewables’ perfect partner.

And Iowa’s leaders in Washington get it, too. In February, Sen. Chuck Grassley said, “I am hopeful to have nuclear energy join the generation mix once again.” Sen. Joni Ernst has echoed that support. She has a long history of pushing nuclear energy, calling it the cleanest source of energy.

That’s why Congress needs to keep the nuclear production tax credit.

The tax credit, known as 45U, ensures that nuclear energy gets federal support just like all other energy sources receive. And it only kicks in when a nuclear facility actually produces power. That’s good, responsible policy. It encourages real results, not promises. And it’s one of the reasons more companies are taking a fresh look at nuclear energy, including right here in Iowa.

In May, the House of Representatives voted to preserve and strengthen this credit by signaling its support for H. R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Now it’s the Senate’s turn.

The importance of this fight can’t be overstated. It’s about keeping Iowa open for business, keeping the lights on when the wind isn’t blowing, and making sure our kids grow up in a state that plans ahead.

We’ve always been energy innovators, whether with biofuels, wind farms, or precision agriculture. Embracing nuclear again is just another example of Iowa using practical tools to build a stronger future.

Let’s not let outdated policies hold us back. Let’s keep nuclear in the mix. And let’s make sure we have the tools to support it, starting with keeping the tax credit that makes clean, reliable, around-the-clock energy possible.

Steve Sherman of North Liberty is an author, radio commentator and former Iowa House candidate.