Boise, Idaho News, Weather and Traffic - KTRV Fox 12 - IEC Moves Forward with Nuclear Plant in Owyhee County
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Boise, Idaho -- On the heels of Midamerican's announcement to abandon its plans for a nuclear plant in Payette, Idaho Energy Complex is moving forward with the approval process for a reactor and bio-fuels plant near Mountain Home.
Back in 2006, IEC announced its intention to build the 1,600-megawatt nuclear plant in Owyhee County, about seven miles south of Mountain Home Air Force base.
The facility would generate enough electricity to power all of the homes in Idaho, three times over.
"This country needs energy. Demand for energy is predicted to grow by 30 percent between now and 2030 and we need every plant we get of every kind," said IEC spokesman Martin Johncox.
IEC says they chose the Mountain Home location because of it's proximity to C.J. Strike reservoir for a water resource and the tight security around the air force base.
The company expects to submit the application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by year's end with construction to be completed a few years thereafter.
