PALO-A national push to build more nuclear power plants moved into Eastern Iowa on Thursday.

The Duane Arnold Energy Center is Iowa's only nuclear generating plant. But a national group called "Clean and Safe Energy" coalition (CASEnergy coalition) wants to see more plants constructed.

One co-chair of the group, backed by the nuclear industry, is Canadian Patrick Moore. Moore was one of the founders of the international "Greenpeace" environmental group. But Moore says he broke with the group 20 years ago because he believes nuclear power is a "greener" option for the production of electricity.

Moore visited the DAEC plant in Palo on Thursday and met with local business and political leaders to enlist their support for more nuclear power plants.

Currently, 103 nuclear plants are licensed in the United States. In Iowa, just over 10 percent of the state's power comes from nuclear sources. Nearly 80 percent comes from coal.

Moore says with changes in federal law last year, between 16 and 20 groups are now pursuing new nuclear plant licenses. A newly-licensed nuclear plant hasn't been built in the U.S. in about 30 years. Moore says he expects to see new plants operating in about six to eight years.

By some estimates, the country will need to increase electrical capacity by some 45 percent by the year 2030. Moore says adding more nuclear capacity could meet the demand without producing more greenhouse gases.

Proponents also say a new round of nuclear plant construction would also mean many new jobs and economic activity.