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Iowa should not build more nuclear plants unless they produce power at a lower cost than other options, including energy conservation, the Iowa Public Interest Research Group said Thursday.

The group also contends that stockholders — not customers — of MidAmerican Energy, which is considering a new nuclear plant, should bear the financial risks. MidAmerican has said it will continue work on legislation that would let the utility charge customers for the cost of a feasibility study, even if the plant isn’t built. The Legislature, which failed to act on the bill last session largely because of debate scheduling considerations, convenes Monday.

Iowa PIRG said nuclear plants across the country have been plagued by cost overruns, and half of those proposed don’t get built. The group said energy conservation, wind power and solar are better options.

The report, “A Nuclear Gamble: Why Nuclear Power Is A Bad Bet For Iowans,” was released Thursday.

“Nuclear power is among the most costly approaches to solving Iowa’s energy problems,” the authors contended. “Fearing the many significant financial risks of new nuclear projects, private investors have stayed away. As a result, utilities and nuclear proponents are now asking Iowa citizens and businesses to pay.”

MidAmerican has said that nuclear power prices are competitive with alternatives, and that wind and solar can’t provide the base power needed for Iowa’s growing industries.

“We believe legislative changes are needed to keep smaller nuclear power sources as one of the few alternatives for meeting Iowa’s base load power needs in a carbon- and environmentally constrained future,” said MidAmerican spokeswoman Tina Potthoff.

AARP on Thursday promised to renew its fight against the bill. The group’s executive director, Kent Sovern, said the organization doesn’t oppose nuclear power, but does have a problem with the legislation.

“At a time when record numbers of Iowa residential customers are struggling to afford their utility bills, it would be unconscionable to force Iowa ratepayers, instead of utility companies and their shareholders, to front the high costs and cancellation risks of a possible plant years before it is built, when the actual costs to build are not known, and when it may or not be completed,” Sovern said.