As the world shifts away from fossil fuels, Nebraska and Iowa utilities are among those preparing for the possible use of nuclear power to supplement renewable energy.

Looming ahead is the question of how to generate electricity during lulls in wind and solar energy. Conventional power plants do that now.

An Associated Press survey of the energy policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia found that a strong majority — about two-thirds — say nuclear, in one fashion or another, will help take the place of fossil fuels. The momentum behind nuclear power could lead to the first expansion of nuclear reactor construction in the U.S. in more than three decades.

Nebraska is among the states engaged on the issue.

“I think you’ll see nuclear — assuming the next generation of nuclear proves affordable,” [President and Chief Executive Officer at Nebraska Public Power District Tom] Kent said. “In terms of future resources, the economics of building new nuclear is part of what we would look at.”

I think Nebraskans will soon see nuclear making wind and solar look like wasted money - BM