Connect with us

Iowa

NextEra's considers nuclear restart in Iowa, while renewable deals swell

Published

on

NextEra's considers nuclear restart in Iowa, while renewable deals swell


By Laila Kearney, Seher Dareen

(Reuters) -NextEra Energy is conducting engineering studies and speaking with federal regulators about the possible restart of its Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Iowa, company executives said on Wednesday.

Growing power demand from AI data centers, and the electrification of buildings and transportation, has propelled the country’s electric utility industry and led to unprecedented power contracts.

NextEra is assessing the condition of its Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Iowa and speaking with regulators with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NextEra CEO John Ketchum said on a company earnings call.

Advertisement

“We’re very interested in recommissioning the plant,” said Ketchum, adding that the site uses a boiling water reactor, which can be simpler than other systems to revive.

Two U.S. nuclear power plants, including Three Mile Island Pennsylvania, are currently in the process of being restarted. A fully shut nuclear plant has never been revived.

“That gives us optimism of being able to do this at an attractive price and without as much risk,” Ketchum said.

NextEra, which includes the world’s largest renewables company and one of the biggest U.S. regulated electric utilities, has also entered into “incremental framework agreements” with Fortune-50 to develop 10.3 gigawatts renewable energy and storage.

The company’s third-quarter profit beat Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, helped by strength in its renewables unit. The S&P index tracking utilities jumped 18.4% in the third quarter, compared to a 5.5% rise in the S&P 500.

Advertisement

NextEra’s renewables business, NextEra Energy Resources, projected a backlog of 24 gigawatts (GW) in the third quarter, up from nearly 22.6 GW in the second quarter.

The company’s regulated utilities business, Florida Power & Light, reported net income of $1.29 billion, compared with $1.18 billion a year earlier.

NextEra’s overall quarterly revenue of $7.57 billion, however, missed estimates of around $8.10 billion, according to analysts’ estimates compiled by LSEG.

The company, which is based in Florida, maintained its 2024 adjusted earnings-per-share forecast. Executives said they expect EPS in 2025 to be in a range of $3.45 to $3.70.

On an adjusted basis, NextEra earned $1.03 per share in the quarter, compared with estimate of 98 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Advertisement

NextEra Energy Partners, a unit of the company created to acquire, manage and own contracted energy projects, said it would repower an additional 225 megawatts (MW) of wind facilities, bringing the total backlog of wind repowerings to around 1.6 GW through 2026.

However, the unit reported a loss of $40 million due to higher interest payments and a loss on some continuing operations, compared to year-ago net income of $53 million. Its shares were down 11.5% in early morning trade.

(Reporting by Seher Dareen in Bengaluru and Laila Kearney in New York; Editing by Pooja Desai and Maju Samuel and Franklin Paul)



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Iowa

Iowa lawmakers at a standstill over pipeline fight that could shape landowners’ rights

Published

on

Iowa lawmakers at a standstill over pipeline fight that could shape landowners’ rights


Lawmakers have yet to agree on whether private companies should be allowed to use eminent domain for a proposed carbon capture pipeline, leaving landowners and industry groups waiting on an outcome that could have lasting impacts across the state.



Source link

Continue Reading

Iowa

3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t

Published

on

3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t



The Iowa Legislature’s 2nd funnel deadline put an expiration date on dozens of bills that failed to advance far enough this session. Here’s a quick rundown:

play

The Iowa Legislature’s second funnel deadline has passed, closing the door on dozens of proposed bills.

The self-imposed deadline requires bills to have passed one chamber and be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber by March 20 or be relegated to the trash heap.

What Iowa bills missed the cut?

Among the casualties: bills that would have allowed community colleges to offer some four-year degrees and eliminated all school vaccination requirements.

What Iowa bills made the cut?

Other bills remain alive, including legislation restricting the governor’s emergency powers, allowing Iowans to buy ivermectin over the counter without a prescription and limiting tuition increases at Iowa’s public universities.

What big issues are hung up?

Republicans, who control the Iowa House and Senate, have yet to strike deals on two of the top issues of the legislative session: property tax relief and eminent domain restrictions.

Advertisement

“There are some heavy lifts obviously,” Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, told reporters. “Property taxes, eminent domain conversation, and budgeting.”

What was the fate of dozens of other Iowa bills?

If you’re looking for a more complete list of bills that lived and died, read our exhaustive roundup of education, health care, business, state government and law enforcement and courts legislation.

Advertisement

Portions of this article appeared in the Des Moines Register’s politics newsletter. Don’t miss out. Sign up here.

Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.



Source link

Continue Reading

Iowa

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

Published

on

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors


We have officially closed the book on the 2025-26 Iowa girls high school basketball season with the crowning of state champions and individual all-state and player of the year awards being handed out by High School on SI.

Now, we take a sneak peek towards 2026-27 with a look at some of the top junior players in Iowa girls high school basketball. All numbers are from those listed on Bound.

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

Melina Snoozy, Sioux City Bishop Heelan

Advertisement
Add us as a preferred source on Google

Snoozy was dominant this past winter again, averaging 21.2 points to lead all juniors while adding eight rebounds, three assists and over two steals per game.

Advertisement

Kylee Pexa, Dunkerton

In addition to her 19 points a game, Pexa contributed almost five steals, five assists and 3.5 rebounds a game.

Ainley Ulrich, North Union

Ulrich nearly helped the Warriors reach the state tournament this past year after posting 20 points with five rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.

Izzy Gilbertson, Mount Ayr

Advertisement

At nearly 21 points and over nine rebounds per game, Gilbertson is a tough opponent to slow down. She also blocked four shots a night with 3.6 assists and 3.6 steals.

Maryn Franken, Sioux Center

Franken posted 20 points per game with nearly nine rebounds while also averaging six steals, three assists and a block to her stat line.

Advertisement

Taryn Petersen, Exira-EHK

Petersen was just a shade under 20 points per game for her team, adding in over six steals, five assists and four rebounds.

Advertisement

Cora Sauer, Lake Mills

Lake Mills went as Sauer did, reaching the regional final before falling to Bishop Garrigan. She contributed 19.7 points, six rebounds, almost four steals and just under four assists a game.

Lizzy Frazell, Waverly-Shell Rock

Frazell and the Go-Hawks continue to make a strong statement, as she finished the year averaging 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Addy Wolfswinkel, Cherokee Washington

Advertisement

Wolfswinkel recently committed to Omaha to play volleyball, but she is strong on the basketball court as well, averaging 19 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals.

Maggie McChesney, Glenwood

In addition to her 19.5 points per game, McChesney averaged eight rebounds, 3.5 steals, three assists and over a block.

Advertisement

KeaOnna Worley, Cedar Rapids Prairie

Watch out for a big senior season from Worley after producing 18 points, nearly five assists, over four rebounds and two steals.

Advertisement

Graclyn Eastman, Bishop Garrigan

Eastman and the Golden Bears reached the finals this past season in Class 1A, as she averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, three steals and two assists.

Katie Muller, Dowling Catholic

The Maroons will lean heavily on Muller next year, as she steps in for sister Ellie Muller. This past year, she averaged 16.5 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and a steal.

Fayth Sullivan, North Polk

Advertisement

Sullivan and the Comets made it back to state after she averaged 16 points, nine rebounds, three steals and three assists.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending