CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - NextEra Energy moved one step closer to restarting the Duane Arnold Nuclear Power Plant after meeting with the Iowa Utilities Commission Wednesday evening.

The company said its main reason for reopening the Duane Arnold nuclear plant is to power data centers set to come to Linn County. The prospect of reopening the plant comes with concerns from people living nearby.

NextEra Energy said reopening the Duane Arnold Nuclear power plant near Palo would have a $9 billion impact on the state and bring around 400 jobs.

The company said the plant would generate 615 megawatts of power, with Google set to receive around 565 of those megawatts and CIPCO, a utility company, getting the rest.

“Companies like us and other hyperscalers like Google see Iowa as a great place

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