KEY POINTS
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The U.S. Department of Energy closed a loan of up to $1.9 billion to NextEra Energy for the Duane Arnold nuclear plant restart.
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The plant could return 615 megawatts of nuclear generation to Iowa’s grid and power nearly 500,000 homes.
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The project is expected to create nearly 1,500 construction jobs and support more than 450 operations jobs.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its Office of Energy Dominance Financing announced September 8 that it has closed a loan of up to $1.9 billion to NextEra Energy to help finance the restart of the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Linn County, Iowa.
The project would bring Iowa’s only nuclear power plant back online, pending required licensing approvals from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Duane Arnold ceased operations in 2020.
Expected Power Capacity and Job Benefits
When restarted, the facility is expected to return 615 megawatts (MW) of nuclear generating capacity to the grid. Roughly enough electricity to power 500,000 homes, according to the DOE.
The agency said the project will help meet rising electricity demand in Iowa and across the Midwest. A trend seen elsewhere around the US, as well, as the buildout of data centers, cloud computing, artificial intelligence related facilities and infrastructure have surged.
The Iowa restart is expected to support nearly 1,500 jobs during construction and more than 450 permanent operations jobs.
“President Trump has set an ambitious course to restore American nuclear leadership, and the restart of Duane Arnold Nuclear Plant in Iowa marks another step in advancing America’s nuclear renaissance,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly said in a statement.
A slew of developments in nuclear power have taken shape recently around the construction of large-scale reactors, small modular reactors, and new energy infrastructure.
In the Autumn 2026 Construction Starts Forecast, ConstructConnect Chief Economist Michael Guckes indicated that, "Power construction is projected to rise 7.8% as investment shifts toward infrastructure priorities beyond green initiatives."
An image of the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Linn County, Iowa. Image: NextEra Energy
Secretary Danly added that the return of 615 megawatts of generation would support jobs and help advance the administration’s push to restore U.S. nuclear leadership.
Broader Nuclear Financing Effort
The loan closing is part of the DOE’s broader effort to expand domestic nuclear generation. The department said the Office of Energy Dominance Financing has now financed three nuclear plant restarts and completed four concurrent conditional commitments and financial closings under the Trump administration.
Economic Impact and Restart Timeline
NextEra Energy said the 615-megawatt facility is expected to create energy and substantial economic benefits for Iowa and the surrounding region.
The company cited an economic-impact study estimating that the restart could generate more than $9 billion in economic benefits for Iowa over 25 years, create thousands of American jobs during construction and refurbishment, support more than 400 permanent high-paying operations jobs, and generate approximately $75 million in tax revenue over the life of the project.
NextEra announced in October 2025 that it planned to restart the Duane Arnold Energy Center no later than the first quarter of 2029, pending regulatory approvals.
What's Next? NRC Approvals Required
NextEra Energy said the Duane Arnold Energy Center operated safely and reliably for more than four decades before ceasing operations in 2020. The company is pursuing the restart through a comprehensive regulatory, operational-readiness and licensing process.
Under the oversight of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and other federal, state and local agencies, NextEra said it continues to conduct extensive inspections, engineering evaluations and readiness activities. The Duane Arnold project remains subject to the NRC’s licensing process before the plant can resume operations.
In June, the Iowa Utilities Commission issued a certificate authorizing NextEra Energy to construct and operate Duane Arnold, which the company described as another important milestone toward restarting the plant.
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