Japan Quake Could Slow Nuclear Effort in Iowa

An Iowa lawmaker said Monday that a bill making it easier for energy companies to build new nuclear power plants in the state is dead this session due to increased safety concerns after the earthquake in Japan and the rising threat of a nuclear meltdown. The bill outlines how state regulators should proceed with ratemaking if a utility moves forward with a nuclear plan. Earlier Monday, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said the damage in Japan shouldn't deter expansion of the nuclear industry in Iowa or elsewhere in the United States. Japanese officials said this morning radiation levels near the plant were going down once again.