A siting feasibility study found that Sutherland, Beatrice, Brownville, and Norfolk are the top four communities in Nebraska best suited to host a next generation nuclear facility, based on current infrastructure and siting criteria, the Nebraska Public Power District said on May 20.
The siting feasibility study was conducted at the direction of the Nebraska Legislature, which allocated $1 million to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to fund the study.
DED subsequently awarded the funds to NPPD, which operates Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville – the state’s only nuclear power generator.
The first phase of the study identified areas around sixteen communities which were then evaluated more in depth during the second and final phase of the study.
Those communities included Beatrice, Brownville, Fremont, Grand Island, Hallam, Hastings, Holdrege, Kearney, Lexington, Nebraska City, Norfolk, Plattsmouth, Rushville, Sutherland, Valentine, and Wauneta.
“During the second phase, our team was able to work with the sixteen communities who allowed us to come talk with the public about both this siting study and nuclear technology as a whole,” said NPPD President and CEO Tom Kent. “Those conversations were positive across the state and are extremely valuable as we highlight the tremendous benefits nuclear power can provide to both a local community and the customers we serve.”
The technical evaluation in the second phase was based on current criteria available from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for siting a nuclear generating facility, and the study highlights how the different communities performed in each of the evaluated areas.
The study is available for the public to view on NextGenNuclearNE.com.
The study is now complete with the release of the final list of communities.
“As we continue to look at the future of nuclear energy in Nebraska, this study was an important step. NPPD was honored to help conduct the siting study on behalf of the state as well as taking the next step in that process with the formation of the Great Plains New Nuclear Consortium, alongside Omaha Public Power District, Lincoln Electric Systems, and Grand River Dam Authority,” added Kent.
“The consortium will be using the siting study results in its evaluation process, and we’re grateful for the foresight of Nebraska’s legislators to conduct this study.”
