Residents, environmental groups and tribal members urge supervisors to reject nuclear siting allowances

A broad cross-section of residents, environmental advocates, and tribal representatives urged the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors to reject zoning changes that would make siting nuclear reactors or nuclear waste storage possible in the county.

Brianna Coma of the Iowa chapter of the Sierra Club urged supervisors to "vote no on zoning changes that would allow the construction or siting of nuclear reactors and nuclear waste storage in Woodbury County," citing peer-reviewed studies she said showed measurable public-health improvements following plant closures and raising concerns about water use and flood risks for plants sited near the Missouri River.

Winnebago community members warned of downstream consequences. Michelle Lemaire, who said her family was displaced after the Port Neal anhydrous ammonia explosion, told the board that downstream communities would be affected by a nuclear accident. Youth delegate Tyler Lemire described pollution's effects on cultural practices and said an additional plant could threaten the Winnebago people's survival.

Commenters raised technical and scientific concerns—SMR costs, radioactive waste storage, and long-term stewardship of spent fuel were frequent themes. Dan Priestley and board members repeatedly replied that the adopted ordinance is a framework and that federal and state licensing would be required before any plant could be built.