Duane Arnold Energy Center Licensing Bundle

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is assessing the recommissioning of the Duane Arnold Energy Center, Iowa's sole nuclear facility. This process requires a licensing bundle to facilitate the plant's transition from decommissioning to operational status. Key components of this bundle include the rescission of decommissioning certifications and the restoration of essential plans such as the emergency plan, security plan, and technical specifications. The NRC has initiated a review of NextEra Energy's applications and is undertaking comprehensive safety and environmental evaluations. A notice in the Federal Register is anticipated around April 22, 2026, which will be followed by a public comment period and a timeframe for submitting hearing requests. The NRC's objective is to issue the licensing bundle by January 29, 2028, contingent upon a determination that the plant can be safely restarted. NextEra Energy anticipates bringing the plant back online by early 2029, which is expected to generate employment opportunities and economic advantages for the surrounding region. Public input is being actively solicited throughout this entire process.