A view of Exelon’s nuclear power plants in Byron, Illinois, taken from approximately 18 miles away. The plants were built by Commonwealth Edison in 1985 (unit 1) and 1987 (unit 2). — Joseph Gage/Flickr, CC 2.0By Paul Deaton, Solon

On June 18, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported the Iowa nuclear task force wrapped up its work, saying, “Task force members reiterated the importance of community education on the topic, noting that residents and lawmakers often have misperceptions about nuclear energy.” But what if community members are already well informed and still do not want a nuclear power plant near their homes or farms?

In 2013, after a three-year process, MidAmerican Energy bought options on 729 acres of prime Iowa farmland near Wilton, in the middle of an established rural community. The company could build a nuclear plant, build a natural gas plant, or do nothing. A grassroots organization arose to oppose the project and advocate letting the options expire. It worked. No power plant was built.

The group emphasized that it was not affiliated with so-called “green” organizations. By remaining strictly grassroots, with people directly affected by MidAmerican’s plans serving as its primary stakeholders, it developed an independent voice that resonated with broader concerns of rural Iowa.

We need safe, cost-effective power production, not official doctrine promoted by a politically appointed committee.

If Iowa is already a net exporter of electricity, why the push for new nuclear reactors? This is not about logic. Follow the money.