NextEra Energy Resources has said it is not feasible to repair storm damage to cooling towers at the Duane Arnold Energy Center ahead of its scheduled permanent closure on 30 October. The single-unit plant has been offline since the storm on 10 August.
According to US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) information, the 615 MWe boiling water reactor in Palo, near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on 10 August declared an Unusual Event due to a loss of offsite power due to high winds. The event resulted in an automatic scram, or shut-down. The reactor building was not damaged by the storm.
Duane Arnold is Iowa's only operating nuclear power plant and has been in commercial operation since 1975. The plant is currently licensed to operate to 2034, but NextEra in 2018 announced that the plant would close later this year after a power purchase agreement with utility Alliant Energy was shortened.
