Legislators are proposing to create a group dedicated to developing commercial nuclear energy in the state of Utah just months after Gov. Spencer Cox announced a plan to combat Utah’s “looming energy crisis.”
State officials first publicly introduced the idea of building nuclear power plants in October, saying it would help satisfy Utah’s increasing energy demand and provide local high-paying jobs to both white- and blue-collar workers. The plan to increase Utah’s energy supply was deemed “Operation Gigawatt.”
Now, ahead of the 2025 State Legislature, lawmakers are proposing a bill to create the “Nuclear Energy Consortium,” a group dedicated to informing policymakers on the development of nuclear energy in Utah.
The bill would also create the Utah Energy Council, which the consortium would be tasked with “providing knowledge and expertise” to. The council would oversee energy projects, including the development of power plants, transmission lines, and energy storage facilities.
The creation of the council and consortium is the first step toward bringing commercial nuclear power to Utah and addressing the increasing need for energy due to the state’s growing population and changing technology. If passed, the bill would go into effect on May 7.
As part of the Utah Energy Council’s outlined duties, it would develop criteria and locate land for “electrical energy development zones.”
The bill sets up a process where counties could apply to have an energy development zone within their county boundaries. If approved, the county would be allowed to keep half of the property tax differential for the energy zone.
Dusty Monks, the interim director for the Utah Office of Energy Development, told ABC4 in October that they will not select a site for a power plant “without the local community’s involvement.”
“The state’s not interested in forcing any community to take any energy resources, whether it’s nuclear or anything else,” Monks said.
The bill reflects this by requiring there to be “evidence of public support” in order for the Utah Energy Council to approve the county’s request for an energy development zone.
“Operation Gigawatt is about taking a challenge, an energy crisis, and turning it into an opportunity for the state,” Monks said.
The bill will be considered during the 2025 Utah State Legislature which is set to begin Jan. 21. State officials previously said the process of building Utah’s first nuclear reactors could take eight to 10 years or longer.
Source: ABC4
