NextEra Energy and Google announced two transformative agreements on October 28, 2025, that will restart Iowa's only nuclear facility and strengthen U.S. nuclear leadership while meeting growing energy demand from artificial intelligence with clean, reliable nuclear energy. The cornerstone of this collaboration is the planned restart of the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Palo, near Cedar Rapids, which was shut down in 2020 and is expected to be online and delivering electricity onto the grid by the first quarter of 2029, pending regulatory approvals.

Power Purchase Agreement and Ownership Structure

Google will purchase power from the 615-MW plant through a 25-year agreement as a 24/7 carbon-free energy source to help power Google's growing cloud and AI infrastructure in Iowa. Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO), one of the plant's current minority owners, will purchase the plant's remaining output on the same terms as Google. NextEra Energy has signed definitive agreements to acquire CIPCO and Corn Belt Power Cooperative's combined 30% interest in the plant, bringing NextEra Energy's ownership to 100%.

The power purchase agreement with Google enables the investment to restart the plant and covers the costs of producing energy from Duane Arnold. Energy customers in Iowa will not bear any fees associated with the power Google purchases from the facility. This partnership builds on NextEra Energy and Google's long-standing relationship, with NextEra Energy now having nearly 3 GW of energy projects executed with Google across the country.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

According to a recently released economic study, the recommissioning of Duane Arnold is projected to generate substantial economic benefits. The project is expected to create approximately 400 direct, high-quality full-time jobs and deliver more than USD 9 billion in economic benefits to Iowa. Across Iowa, the project will generate more than 1,600 direct, indirect, and induced jobs during the plant's construction and more than USD 340 million in annual economic output during operations.

In Linn County specifically, the project will create more than 800 direct, indirect, and induced jobs during the plant's construction and approximately 400 direct, full-time jobs during operations. Local total earnings during construction are projected at more than USD 89 million, and local long-term earnings of more than USD 127 million. The facility will generate more than USD 320 million in annual economic output during operations and an average of USD 3 million in annual tax revenue to support schools, infrastructure, and fire-rescue services.

Strategic Vision and AI Infrastructure

As the U.S. enters a new era of innovation and opportunity driven by AI, this strategic collaboration aims to enable Google to grow its business responsibly. NextEra Energy's strategic investments in nuclear and advanced generation help position Google to deploy AI that can grow the American economy, create jobs, accelerate scientific advances, improve health and educational outcomes, and strengthen national and global security.

Beyond the Duane Arnold restart, NextEra Energy and Google have also signed an agreement to explore the development of new nuclear generation to be deployed in the U.S., which would help power America's growing electricity needs. The restart will increase generation capacity in the region, strengthen local grid reliability, and drive significant economic investment in the Midwest.

Leadership Statements and Government Support

John Ketchum, chairman and CEO of NextEra Energy, stated that restarting Duane Arnold marks an important milestone for the company. He emphasized that the partnership with Google not only brings nuclear energy back to Iowa but also accelerates the development of next-generation nuclear technology, creating thousands of jobs, strengthening Iowa's economy, delivering long-term value to shareholders, and helping power America's future through innovation and technology.

Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Alphabet and Google, highlighted that this partnership builds on two decades of work in Iowa, including Google's recent USD 7 billion investment in the state in May 2025. She described the project as delivering nuclear energy and hundreds of new job opportunities in Iowa by the beginning of 2029, serving as a model for investments needed across the country to build energy capacity and deliver reliable, clean power while protecting affordability and creating jobs for the AI-driven economy.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds stated that the announcement further cements Iowa's leadership in powering America's AI infrastructure, noting that meeting the demands of emerging technologies requires reliable, clean energy and that the Duane Arnold nuclear facility is ideally positioned to deliver it. State Senator Charlie McClintock, representing Iowa's 42nd district, emphasized that bringing Duane Arnold back online is a big win for Linn County and the entire state, highlighting the return of multigenerational local jobs.

Andrew St. John, executive vice president and CEO of CIPCO, expressed enthusiasm that nuclear energy will once again contribute to the state's energy future, noting that the restart will strengthen their generation portfolio with clean, baseload generation and further their ability to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective power to cooperative member-owners across Iowa.

The Duane Arnold restart follows a rigorous engineering evaluation, community engagement, and close coordination with federal, state, and local authorities. NextEra Energy is working proactively with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other governmental authorities to ensure a safe, timely, and compliant return to service.

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