Nuclear Baseload Generation
Iowa-owned baseload generation is a long-term solution to keeping electricity affordable by providing utilities the ability to more accurately forecast future costs than they will be able to if electricity is provided by out-of-state suppliers.
Following are some facts about nuclear baseload generation in Iowa and the pending legislation before the Iowa Senate.
Consumer Protection:
The Bill SF 390 does not authorize the construction of a nuclear power plant. It supports a feasibility study of building a facility.
· If a decision is made that an Iowa based nuclear facility is the best option for meeting our future baseload electric needs, the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) has to approve the project and agree to a plan for financing and operations.
· This proposed process is subject to all the consumer protection checks and balances within the current IUB process.
· The independent and autonomous Office of Consumer Advocate in the Attorney General's Office will represent the interests of the ratepayers at every step of the proposed review process.
· The Iowa based Duane Arnold Energy Center has been safely and reliably serving Iowans with reliable, affordable, environmentally responsible electricity for more than 30 years. It was at the epicenter of the 2008 floods and continued to operate safely and without incident.
Economy:
· Energy providers will continue to look at all technologies – including other renewable energy sources and not rely solely on nuclear as the answer to addressing Iowa’s projected baseload capacity shortfall.
· Iowa cannot afford to wait to explore future options for additional electric baseload generation. Doing so would risk a contraction in Iowa’s continued economic growth, a loss of jobs, and an increase cost of doing business in our state.
· Regardless of the passage of this bill, Iowa’s electric bills will increase in the future if baseload energy generation is not increased because there will be a shortage of electrical power. Without Iowa built baseload facilities, our families, and businesses will be subject to yo-yoing prices as utilities will need to purchase that energy on the open market – just like we currently do for gasoline and heating oil.
· If it is determined that a nuclear plant is feasible and needed to ensure Iowa’s future electric baseload needs, a prospective plant would result in 100s of high paying jobs for Iowa workers and businesses.
· Economic shocks due to speculation in the open electrical market will result in the shedding of Iowa jobs for Iowa workers if we are not able to address our future baseload generation shortfall.
