Governor Kim Reynolds signed Executive Order 17 establishing the Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force. The task force has been created to advise the Governor, the General Assembly and state agencies on the development and advancement of nuclear energy technologies and infrastructure in the state.
Representative Hans Wilz was appointed to the task force as a legislative representative.
“I’m excited to be a part of this committee as it works to find innovative solutions to advance Iowa energy,” Wilz said. “As a member of the House Commerce Committee, I see firsthand how vital reliable energy is to our state’s prosperity. I look forward to working with this talented group to explore how nuclear innovation can drive economic growth and ensure Iowa remains a national leader in energy production.”
Wilz spent his summer working to become well-versed on energy policy. He spent a week at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory learning about nuclear and energy policy and a week in Washington D.C. working to understand national energy policy to be in the best position possible to move Iowa forward.
The responsibilities of the task force include but are not limited to:
- Exploring opportunities to engage with the federal government to support nuclear energy development and ensure Iowa’s policies and initiatives align with national regulations;
- Assessing emerging nuclear technologies for Iowa’s energy sector;
- Engaging with industry leaders, academic institutions, and others to ensure Iowa develops a highly skilled workforce for the growing nuclear energy sector;
- Engaging with manufacturers and other nuclear energy stakeholders to identify barriers to entry and the partnerships and investments needed to cultivate a nuclear supply chain in Iowa; and
- Evaluating opportunities to enhance economic growth by utilizing nuclear energy.
The executive order requires the task force to submit its final report detailing its findings and recommendations to the governor within 180 days of the order’s issuance. More information about the task force and it’s other members on the Governor’s website.
