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Linn County Supervisors adopt nuclear energy ordinance
The new ordinance outlines the application process and unique zoning requirements for nuclear energy generating and/or waste storage facilities.
Sep. 3, 2025 12:22 pm, Updated: Sep. 3, 2025 1:08 pm
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CEDAR RAPIDS — Linn County has officially adopted a nuclear energy ordinance — making it one of the only counties in the state with a nuclear-specific zoning code.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday unanimously approved the third and final reading of a draft code creating a new exclusive use zoning district for nuclear energy generation and/or waste storage.
As written, the code will require applicants to submit a general application form, major site plan and an application fee to be established by the Linn County Board of Supervisors.
Project leaders also will need to submit a completed economic development plan and enter into a “host community agreement,” or HCA, with Linn County that will take effect when the plant begins producing power.
The agreement would establish an annual, inflation-adjusted payment to the county to support the various government functions and public services associated with hosting a nuclear facility such as emergency response, infrastructure maintenance, environmental monitoring and more.
It also would require approved applicants to reimburse the county for any costs incurred as a direct result of all pre-operational activities taken ahead of the plant’s actual start date.
“I’m really excited that we were able to include the host community agreement,” said District 3 Supervisor Brandy Meisheid. “That allows us to put our residents and their public safety first and to make sure that any financial impact that comes back to the county is not being passed onto the taxpayer rather than being taken care of by the nuclear company.”
The code was drafted in a way that focuses on local impacts while leaving the majority of safety considerations to overarching federal regulators at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which sets and enforces nationwide standards for nuclear facility construction and management.
County staff began working on the draft code following NextEra Energy’s announcement of its intent to restart the Duane Arnold Energy Center near Palo, although the code will apply to any nuclear energy projects proposed in Linn County.
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