Power plant closing just the start of decades-long process FORT CALHOUN, Neb. 25 Oct 16 – The nation’s smallest nuclear power plant permanently shuts down Monday after 43 years of service. The Omaha Public Power District’s board decided in June that the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant is no longer financially sustainable due to market conditions with consumers using less energy and low natural gas prices.
By ceasing operations, the district expects to save between $735 million and $994 million over the next 20 years.
The shutdown is just the first step in a decommissioning process that could stretch on for as long as 60 years and cost more than $1 billion. During that process, the utility will have to decontaminate and disassemble elements of the power plant north of Omaha.
