Public Opinion Split As Nuclear Company Leaves Wyoming

The state of Wyoming, both the general public as well as our elected officials, have some decisions to make when it comes to the future of Wyoming.

Do we want to diversify our economy, grow and keep up with our changing world, and remain competitive, or stay right where we are?

While on the air Tuesday of this week, I took quite a few calls and text messages from listeners across Wyoming who were split on allowing nuclear storage in Wyoming. Wyomingites are not clearly on one side or the other. Public opinion is split.

The conversation revolved around the company Radiant Nuclear, which had just announced that they have decided to give up on Wyoming and locate in Tennessee.

Recently, a company that wanted to build micro nuclear reactors, which can be shipped anywhere on earth to create cheap, clean energy, decided to pass on its plans to locate in Wyoming and move to Tennessee.

Most of the concerns over Radiant Energy locating in Wyoming have to do with nuclear waste storage. Some folks are afraid of it.

Radiant chose to move to Tennessee over concerns with Wyoming's aversion to storing nuclear waste. Their decision was more about current Wyoming laws and regulations regarding waste than public opinion.

Public opinion in Wyoming was split on waste storage. Some welcomed Radiant, some wanted nothing to do with them.

Wyoming currently only allows temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel on-site at a nuclear power plant operating within the state, a change made to accommodate projects like TerraPower's Natrium plant near Kemmerer.

The state has rejected proposals for storing waste from external sources in the past and continues to debate legislation regarding high-level waste storage, with significant public concern over potential risks.

Radiant might be gone, but Wyoming is not done with the nuclear waste debate.

Campbell County, Wyoming, is a key location for micro nuclear reactor development due to a partnership between L&H Industrial and BWX Technologies. This collaboration aims to establish the area as a hub for manufacturing, leasing, and operating small reactors, with a specific proposal for a BWXT nuclear fuel fabrication plant east of Gillette. This plant, which would produce specialized TRISO fuel, is slated to be operational by late 2030 and will create hundreds of jobs.

Will the state of Wyoming change its laws and regulations for L&H, or will that company throw in the towel and move as well?