A good neighbor we still need

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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Last week, Iowa's only nuclear power plant got the go-ahead for another 20 years of operation. The license extension for the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Palo was approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission after a 26-month review and preparation that began four years ago and cost the company $20 million.

Although some environmental groups wouldn't agree, the NRC concluded there were no environmental concerns that would justify not renewing the license. Overall, that's good news for Eastern Iowa.

The Palo plant provides reliable electric power, enough to power 600,000 homes. It emits virtually no greenhouse gas or other air pollution. It employs 600 people with an annual payroll of $85 million. At $3 million a year, it's among the top 10 property taxpayers in Linn County.

And the company's community outreach, charitable donations and employee volunteerism are considerable.

This is a valuable corporate neighbor.

The U.S. nuclear power industry's reputation, operational efficiency and safety record have improved substantially since the massive construction cost overruns of the 1970s, caused in part by early design flaws. Today, 104 nuclear plants produce one-fifth of the nation's power at about half the cost of 20 years ago,

Construction of new plants has been at a virtual standstill for nearly 30 years. But there's been a renewed focus on expanding nuclear energy, thanks in part to changes in government policy and the industry's improvements. Up to a half dozen new plants could come online in this decade.

Nonetheless, a few dark clouds still hang over nuclear power and may affect expansion.

l What to do with spent, highly radioactive nuclear fuel rods. There is no national common repository or other solution yet. For now, plants use on-site storage facilities that also must meet rigorous NRC testing.

l The cost of building new plants, $5 billion to $10 billion or more, is much higher than for fossil-fuel plants.

l Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, nuclear plants, including Palo's, must spend considerably more on security measures and personnel.

The Palo plant has been online since 1974. Continuous updating of equipment keeps its life expectancy open ended. In 20 years, its operators will have to demonstrate that it makes economic sense to keep it going.

Renewable energy sources, such as biofuels, solar and wind, are gaining share in the energy market but have obstacles to overcome. They are not yet positioned to replace conventional power sources.

Duane Arnold Energy Center remains vital to our power needs in Eastern Iowa. Keeping the operation safe and efficient will benefit our Eastern Iowa economy and quality of life for decades to come.