(Des Moines)– In a two-one split decision, the Iowa Utilities Board has approved the sale of the state’s only nuclear power plant to a Florida company.
Alliant Energy Corporation is the majority owner of the Duane Arnold Energy Center near Palo. It plans to sell 70 percent interest in the nuclear plant to F-P-L Group, a Juno Beach, Florida company that owns and operates six nuclear plants.
Alliant had decided not renew the power plant’s license after it expires in 20-14 and said it would close the plant if the sale had not been approved.
F-P-L Group offered 383-million dollars earlier this year and has promised to re-license the plant.
Under the purchase agreement, Alliant would continue to buy power from F-P-L until 20-14.
An Alliant spokesman says that guarantees customers the power and the rates they now receive.
John Perkins is the head of the State Office of Consumer Advocate. He thinks the sale will mean higher bills for Alliant rate payers than if the company kept the plant.
(Story from the Associated Press.).
