The Linn County Board of Supervisors today approved a host community agreement with NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC (NEDA). By signing and incorporating the Host Community Agreement into the possible restart of the Duane Arnold Nuclear Energy Center (DAEC), Linn County is putting residents and public safety first by ensuring that any project-related financial impacts to the County fall on the nuclear energy company, not taxpayers.

Linn County’s host community agreement is a first-of-its kind agreement to create a long-term financial partnership with a nuclear power facility. This partnership is written directly into Linn County’s zoning code and long-range planning process, ensuring Linn County has a voice in decisions that affect its residents. Linn County’s approach can serve as a model for other communities across the country to secure a voice in the process as nuclear power reemerges as an energy source.

The host community agreement requires NEDA to make a fixed annual payment to Linn County to support the County’s expenses incurred in connection with hosting the Duane Arnold Nuclear Energy Center project. The agreement states the annual payment, called host community funds, will support County services, facilities, infrastructure, and community initiatives that the Board of Supervisors determines reasonably relate to hosting the DAEC, and promote long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Eligible fund uses may include:

• Emergency preparedness and response support for the staffing, equipment, training, and facilities necessary to prepare for and respond to any emergency situations, including radiological, natural, or man-made events

• Public safety services required to protect the community and maintain readiness in connection with the operation of DAEC and related infrastructure

• Maintenance, repair, or improvement of public roads, bridges, utilities, and facilities that experience increased wear or demand associated with the DAEC

• Funding environmental monitoring and oversight programs, studies, and activities that protect air, water, and soil quality, as well as natural resources and ecosystems potentially affected by the DAEC

• Community outreach with residents and stakeholders regarding safety, preparedness, environmental programs, and community benefits associated with DAEC

• Economic development initiatives that strengthen the local economy and workforce related to energy generation and supporting industries

• Supporting comprehensive, strategic, and land-use planning efforts that guide County policy and investment decisions related to growth, infrastructure, and sustainability

The first payment will be $1.9 million and is due within 30 days after the nuclear facility begins selling electricity to the power grid. After that, the company will make annual payments to the County within 30 days of the same date each year for the length of the agreement. Each year’s payment will increase by 5% to keep up with inflation and long-term service needs. In addition to the annual host community funds payment, NextEra will pay its property taxes in full as part of the proposed restart of the nuclear facility.

“The Board of Supervisors does not decide whether the nuclear plant reopens or how nuclear waste is stored – those and other critical decisions are made by other state and national regulatory authorities,” said Linn County Supervisor Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt. “Our role is to review and act on the rezoning application, and we are using the authority we do have to give the people of Linn County a seat at the table. Through the Host Community Agreement and the MOU, we are focused on residents’ quality of life by ensuring NextEra pays its fair share of the project-related expenses incurred by the county, so the financial responsibility stays with the company – not local taxpayers. The economic, workforce, and community benefits of moving forward with the NextEra facility will be a boost for our region for decades to come.”

“This host community agreement is critical to ensuring that companies worth hundreds of billions of dollars that want to operate and profit in Linn County are also paying their fair share of the real costs their projects create,” said Linn County District 2 Supervisor Sami Scheetz. “These HCA payments come in addition to NextEra paying its full property taxes, protecting taxpayers and ensuring the increased public safety costs tied to restarting the nuclear power plant are paid by the company – not our community.”

“Signing the host community agreement reflects Linn County’s commitment to putting residents and public safety first, while ensuring taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize private business. This agreement also reinforces the level of partnership and accountability we expect from any large entity seeking to locate in and use Linn County resources,” said Linn County District 3 Supervisor Brandy Z. Meisheid.