Emery County holds public hearing on microreactor testing at San Rafael research site; residents split on safety, housing and transparency

Emery County commissioners held a public hearing June 17 in Castle Dale on proposals to test small, transportable nuclear reactors at the San Rafael research site, drawing a crowd that voiced both support and concern.

County and state presenters described the projects as research and testing—not large commercial power reactors—and said the site is being positioned for possible deployment, manufacturing and complementary energy work. Jared Wallace, identified at the meeting as director of the San Rafael Energy Lab, said, “This isn't a large scale reactor. This isn't even a power reactor. This is simply a test to research, to understand, to learn how to build these cheaply, safely, efficiently.” Wallace and other presenters said Valor Atomics and NuCube have discussed testing or manufacturing at the lab and that the facility was sold to the state and is now managed with state involvement.

Why it matters: supporters said the projects could bring jobs, manufacturing and continued energy industry presence to a county long tied to coal and power plants. Opponents pressed for more public information about safety, security, potential health risks, housing impacts and local control.

Support and economic arguments Many speakers with local energy ties said Emery County should pursue the testing work and related manufacturing. Diana Thompson, who identified herself as a Hunter Power Plant employee, told commissioners the proposal could protect energy jobs and give the county a role in next‑generation technology: “The next generation of nuclear technology offers us a chance to be on the cutting edge of safe, clean, and reliable energy.” Several residents with backgrounds at local power plants and at Idaho’s national lab said skills would transfer to new facilities and cited potential manufacturing jobs rather than only power generation.

County and state presenters emphasized that a range of research is under way at the San Rafael lab, including advanced coal work, hydrogen research, desalination pilots and lithium‑ion battery recycling. Jeremy Pearson, introduced at the meeting as a long‑time participant in the field, urged future, technology‑specific briefings: “One of the most exciting things is really drilling into the new safety aspects of these reactors.” Commissioners said the county will continue meeting with industry and the state and seek to improve public outreach.

Safety, security and health concerns A number of residents expressed skepticism about safety and the county’s access to information. Jeff Hayward said, “I don't think nuclear's safe,” and raised concerns about terrorism and the security of smaller, distributed reactors. Several speakers referred to past regional nuclear activity and illnesses; Barbara Jones, who said she is an atomic‑testing survivor, described family cancer cases and said she was not persuaded by the information provided so far.

Sheriff Tyson Wellington said local law enforcement takes security seriously and will coordinate with state and federal partners as needed. Meeting presenters repeatedly offered to hold technology‑specific follow‑ups so companies can answer detailed safety and accident‑scenario questions.

Housing, tax and local control questions Residents asked how many workers would be needed, whether projects would raise property taxes and how the county would use new revenues. Commissioners and staff said by law 10% of some large renewable project revenues will be earmarked for affordable housing and that the county is studying how to apply funds; they also noted a recent land‑use survey of 152 respondents that showed 63% support for nuclear technologies. Concerns persisted that development can raise housing costs and that past projects felt poorly communicated.

Permitting, timing and scale Speakers with nuclear experience warned permitting and siting take years. Walt Johnson, who said he has decades of experience with reactors, estimated permitting can take “another 7 to 9 years” before operations could begin. Presenters described “micro” or modular reactors in a wide range of sizes—some as small as a single megawatt and others in the low tens of megawatts—and said the technology under discussion is distinct from large traditional power reactors. County officials also noted that some companies are looking at manufacturing in Emery County, not just onsite power generation.

Next steps and county response Commissioners closed the hearing by saying they would pursue more public outreach, continue to work with the research lab and state Office of Energy Development, hold additional public meetings, and seek technology‑specific briefings so community members can ask detailed safety and operational questions. No formal action or vote took place at the hearing.

Quotes in context • Jared Wallace, director, San Rafael Energy Lab: “This isn't a large scale reactor. This isn't even a power reactor. This is simply a test to research, to understand, to learn how to build these cheaply, safely, efficiently.” • Diana Thompson, Hunter Power Plant employee and resident: “Testing doesn't mean turning our community into a nuclear site. It means development that could shape and clean energy systems of tomorrow.” • Jeff Hayward, resident: “I don't think nuclear's safe … There's terrorists all over this country right now.”

The commission said it will publish additional meeting notices and hold more community forums, and staff encouraged residents to submit questions through the commission office so future presentations can be tailored to topics the public raises.