We’re funding risk for nuclear power

Did you know the commerce committees in the Iowa House and Senate recently approved a proposal to allow our utility rates to be adjusted to fund a two-year feasibility study by Iowa utility companies (such as MidAmerican and Alliant Energy) to construct a nuclear power plant in Iowa?

Because nuclear power generating stations have significant financial risk and are very expensive, no new U.S. nuclear power generation stations have been built in 30 years. It takes several years for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to approve a state's construction request.

Whether you support nuclear power or not, you and I will be charged higher rates to cover this feasibility study, and if this proposal becomes a law, we will be charged as well for the future costs of a yet-to-be-constructed nuclear reactor, whether it becomes operational or not. This potential law would shift the financial risk from the power companies to the rate payers.

Please contact your state senator or representative if this proposal concerns you. The final vote in the Iowa House and Senate will take place within the next two weeks.

Maggie McGill

Windsor Heights