NextEra Energy is considering restarting a nuclear plant in Iowa as demand for carbon-free energy grows amid a historic surge in electricity consumption. The Duane Arnold Energy Center in Palo, Iowa ceased operations in 2020 after 45 years of service. "There would be opportunities and a lot of demand from the market if we were able to do something with Duane Arnold," Ketchum said on NextEra's second-quarter earnings call Wednesday. The Duane Arnold plant was scheduled for retirement in late 2020 after a key customer, Alliant Energy, sought cheaper energy alternatives. Nuclear energy fell out of favor over the past decade as plants struggled to compete with cheaper energy sources such as natural gas and renewables.

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Persons: Duane Arnold, John Ketchum, Ketchum Organizations: NextEra Energy, Duane Arnold Energy Center, Alliant Energy, Congressional Research Service Locations: Iowa, Palo , Iowa, Japan, U.S