Nuclear Power in Iowa

These images show the progressive disappearance of nuclear energy plants in Iowa since 2013, including the closing of the remaining plant.

• Why are we moving away from nuclear energy?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of closing Duane Arnold Energy Center? (Think in terms of society and nature)
• What solutions can be implemented to minimize the impact on Iowa’s economy, energy supply, and environment? 
• How would closing the plant affect (positively or negatively) conservation efforts?
• What misconceptions/preconceptions people have about nuclear energy?

Students could:

• Study the tradeoffs and impact of such change to both society and the environment. In addition, students can work in finding solutions to replace the loss of energy supply caused by the disappearance of these power plants. 
• Be presented past and present maps of Iowa’s nuclear power plants to observe the difference between them. They may start by observing that power plants have been disappearing since 2013. 
• Engage in a discussion on what is nuclear power plant, how it works, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy as well as preconceptions/misconceptions they may have (i.e. dangerous to the health, cancer-causing, damage the environment, power plant imagery in pop culture). 
• Engage in an investigation on how the process of decommissioning a nuclear power plant happens and its potential environmental and economic impact to our state. During the investigation, they should find that DAEC provided a large percentage of energy and solutions to replace that energy supply with clean energy are necessary. Students can brainstorm ideas/solutions and then each idea could be assigned to a small group to research and defend in an argumentation process. 
• Research their solution based on the following factors: economic impact, community impact, and environmental impact. They should be able to argue with evidence why their solution could help lessen or enhance the negative and positive impact of the closing, respectively. 

• Next Era Energy | Duane Arnold Economic Impact Study: Video produced by NextEra Energy discusses the economic impact of the power plant in Iowa.
• US Energy Department | 3 Reasons why Nuclear Energy is Clean and Sustainable: This article explains the positive environmental impact of nuclear energy.
• Sciencing.com | The Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy: This article explains the disadvantages of nuclear power plants.
• Nuclear Energy Institute | Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants: This is a fact sheet that explains the steps, process and guidelines to follow when a nuclear power plant is to be decommissioned.
• World Nuclear News | Iowa nuclear plant to close in 2020: Report about the 2020 closing of Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa.
• United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission | Operating Nuclear Power Reactors (by Location or Name): Interactive map of nuclear reactors in the United States.