(Radio Iowa) – The Linn County Board of Supervisors has given the go-ahead for NextEra Energy to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant by rezoning nearly 400 acres in Palo for nuclear power production and storage. Board chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt says the rezoning gives Linn County residents a seat at the table

“This has been a lot of work for many people here at the county for Duane Arnold, for different communities, Palo included. I think this is a good reflection of us working as a good partner and a good community member moving forward,” she says. Running-Marquardt says there are still state and federal approvals needed.

“Linn County does not have the authority to make the final approval or disapproval, nor do we have authority over nuclear waste. But through this rezoning, this gives Linn County residents a seat at the table,” she says. NextEra has agreed to supply Google with a majority of the power generated by the plant if it reopens.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has the final say on the plant. NextEra hopes to have it open by late 2028. The board approved an agreement last week requiring NextEra to pay the county for costs related to hosting the nuclear plant. The first payment will be for one-point-nine million dollars with a five percent increase each year the plant operates.