Residents gathered at Auburn Manor on Wednesday to learn more about Nebraska’s exploration of Next Generation Nuclear energy, including the potential siting of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the region.
The public meeting, hosted by the Auburn Board of Public Works, the Village of Brownville, the City of Auburn, and Grow Auburn Inc., included updates from the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) and its consulting partner, 1898 & Company.
Nick Wohlers, a representative of 1898 & Company, shared details of the statewide feasibility study, funded by $1 million in federal pandemic aid directed toward strengthening grid resilience in low-income communities. The study aims to evaluate potential locations for SMRs, focusing on key criteria like health and safety, community conditions, flood plains, wetlands, ecological impact, and water availability.
Originally, 32 communities were under consideration. As of this year, that list has been narrowed to 16, including Brownville in Nemaha County—a site that gained traction partly due to its proximity to the Cooper Nuclear Station.
The project is currently in Phase II, which will further narrow the candidate list to four final locations. Wohlers noted this phase will apply stricter criteria as potential sites are evaluated.
Don Buhman, NPPD's Director of Nuclear Oversight and Strategic Asset Management, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the utility’s decades-long track record of safe nuclear power production at the Cooper plant. Buhman explained that SMRs represent a different approach: factory-manufactured, modular units that can be shipped and assembled on-site, rather than massive, custom-built facilities.
While acknowledging that the initial costs for SMRs could range from $1 to $4 billion, Buhman expressed confidence that costs would decrease as technology advances and more units are deployed.
Buhman also highlighted potential economic benefits, stating that a new SMR could bring hundreds of permanent jobs to the area, along with a significant construction workforce during development.
Water usage, a critical consideration, will depend on the size and design of the facility. Some SMRs, Buhman said, may require minimal water or even offer air-cooled designs, making them more flexible in terms of environmental impact.