Nuke-plant problems in Japan prompt formal agreement between CRFD, Duane Arnold

CEDAR RAPIDS - The city and the nearby Duane Arnold Energy Center's nuclear power plant are formalizing a disaster-services agreement prompted by failures at Japanese nuclear reactors after an earthquake and tsunami there in March, a city official said Monday.

Mark English, Cedar Rapids' acting fire chief, told the City Council's Public Safety Committee that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is requesting that the city's Fire Department formalize its commitment to respond to emergencies at the Energy Center in the wake of the problems in Japan.

English said the Fire Department long has had an informal understanding that it would respond to the Duane Arnold plant if asked and able.

Other area jurisdictions also will be asked to sign similar agreements, the chief said.