Planning commission backs rezoning to support Duane Arnold Energy Center restart; public comment largely supportive

The Linn County Planning & Zoning Commission on Dec. 15 voted to recommend rezoning roughly 393 acres from agricultural to the county’s newly adopted Exclusive Use 2 (EU‑2) district to support the potential recommissioning of the Duane Arnold Energy Center (DAEC).

County staff (Charlie Nichols) told the commission the application would not expand the plant’s prior developed footprint and that many aspects of environmental review, licensing and emergency preparedness fall under federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversight. Staff said existing permits for water use and NPDES/IDNR discharge would need renewal and that a signed host community agreement is required before final rezoning; staff recommended approval subject to conditions and underscored that rezoning alone does not authorize restart — the project must still meet NRC licensing and other federal/state requirements.

NextEra Energy Duane Arnold (NEDA) lead developer Garrett Goldfinger presented the applicant’s plan and economic analysis, saying the company intends to acquire remaining ownership interests, rebuild and refurbish the existing plant footprint, and pursue NRC licensing to resume operations. NEDA projected nearly 400 permanent jobs in operations, substantial construction employment, and multi‑billion‑dollar regional economic output over decades if the plant resumes operation.

Public comment was strongly tilted toward support: former DAEC employees, union representatives and regional economic development advocates urged the commission to recommend approval, citing job creation, regional tax revenue and energy reliability. Speakers included a former DAEC engineer who said recommissioning would help reduce “brain drain,” union representatives emphasizing local hiring and benefits, and local economic‑development officials citing projected tax and employment numbers.

Commissioners asked staff and the applicant about the host community agreement, emergency preparedness coordination with local fire and emergency management agencies, water‑use permits with IDNR, and the process and timing for NRC-related reviews. Staff said a host community agreement is being finalized and must be signed before third and final reading before the Board of Supervisors; staff outlined a likely schedule of Board first reading Jan. 5, second reading Jan. 7, and third and final reading Jan. 14, assuming the host community agreement is ready.

A commissioner moved to recommend approval of the rezoning (PR25‑0006); the commission took a roll call vote and recorded ayes, forwarding a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. Staff and the applicant emphasized the many additional federal and state steps required before any reactor restart.