The Nebraska Public Power District, which owns the 800-megawatt Cooper nuclear plant, finished its first phase of research last week into potential new sites for advanced modular reactors.
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) and the state’s Department of Economic Development identified 16 potential sites for small modular reactors. That is according to a study issued this month using published data on geographic and infrastructure characteristics, according to an NPPD press release.
The study was done by an affiliate of Burns & McDonnell Engineering. The document said the state preferred to avoid population centers of more than 25,000 residents, or areas prone to extreme weather. The sites are near the following cities: Beatrice, Brownville, Fremont, Grand Island, Hallam, Hastings, Holdrege, Kearney, Lexington, Nebraska City, Norfolk, Plattsmouth, Rushville, Sutherland, Valentine, and Wauneta, according to the release.
At the conclusion of Phase 2, of the study, two-to-four finalist sites will be selected, according to the release.
The second phase of the study will involve a more in-depth analysis based on criteria used by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission through field environmental and construction evaluations. It will also include stakeholder engagement with the local communities of the potential sites, which will become a factor in the final selection.
In 2022 the Nebraska Department of Economic Development was awarded $1 million for the feasibility study. The state department then gave the funds to NPPD who operates the only nuclear power generator in the state.
