Senator Kent Rogert wants Third Nuclear Power Plant in Nebraska

- Edited By Tom Lamar -

According to the Lincoln Journal Star, Nebraska Senator Kent Rogert supports a third nuclear power plant in his state. The possibility of a third plant in Nebraska will be discussed at a public hearing Sept. 17 in Blair.

Senator Rogert is the primary sponsor of LR465, which would study the benefits of building a nuclear power plant next to Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station, owned by the Omaha Public Power District.

Fort Calhoun, population 904, is about 20 miles north of Omaha along the Missouri River.

The pros and cons of nuclear power and what another plant would mean to the state's economy in terms of new jobs and a long-term source of sustainable energy will be presented at the hearing, Rogert said.

Fort Calhoun is one of two nuclear plants in Nebraska. The other is Cooper Nuclear Station south of Brownville, owned by the Nebraska Public Power District.

Rogert estimates between 2,500 and 3,500 "nice paying" jobs would be created during construction. Another 500 to 700 would be employed at the power plant once it is operating.

Construction would take about five to six years and cost between $6 billion and $10 billion, Rogert said.

The senator said he has discussed the issue with OPPD officials "and they are on board with me."

"OPPD is supportive of the concept of nuclear power and believes it provides safe, reliable, carbon-free electricity and will continue to play an important role in Nebraska generation for many years," said OPPD spokesman Jeff Hanson in an e-mail.

He said a "baseload" nuclear power plant is not in the utility's plans, which span 15 years. OPPD could not afford to build a power plant by itself because of the cost "and would have to explore partnerships if such a plant became necessary."

"The nuclear industry currently is in the process of designing small, more affordable generating stations. We are interested in the progress in that area," Hanson said.

You can read more here in the Journal Star here; http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/article_27eb5adc-b94d-11df-ac6d-001cc4c03286.html

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