DOE approves $1.9 billion loan to revive Iowa nuclear plant amid growing support

The Energy Department approved a $1.9 billion loan for NextEra Energy to bring the Duane Arnold Energy Center back online, targeting completion by the first quarter of 2029. Duane Arnold, a 615-megawatt boiling-water reactor in Iowa, was idled in 2020 after storm damage and the loss of its power purchase agreements, making continued operation uneconomical. This financing is the third of its kind, following similar restart initiatives at the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan and the Crane Clean Energy Center, formerly Three Mile Island Unit 1, in Pennsylvania.

Recent surveys indicate a sharp rise in public support for nuclear energy, with a 2026 poll showing 77 % in favor. Nevertheless, environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and Michigan-based activists have filed lawsuits and launched campaigns against the restarts, arguing safety risks and the availability of cheaper renewables. Partnerships with tech firms like Google and Microsoft aim to supply power for data centers, bolstering the economic case for the projects. If successful, the restarts could increase nuclear’s share of U.S. electricity beyond its long-standing 20 % level.