Leavenworth County to send clarifying letter after packet implied support for TerraPower site

Leavenworth County commissioners agreed to have staff draft a clarifying letter after packet language sent to TerraPower appeared to indicate the board had already endorsed Project Sandpiper and Atrium Technology.

Commissioner Michael read aloud a paragraph from the LCDC packet that said, “the Leavenworth County Commission has also declared their support for Project Sandpiper and Atrium Technology via a letter of interest approved at the seventeenth December 2025 County Commission meeting.” Commissioners said that description did not reflect the board’s intent.

"The letter that we sent asked that the county can have an opportunity to engage with TerraPower to be part of the conversation and to continue an exploratory process on it," a commissioner said, adding the county’s submission was meant to request information, not to endorse the project. Other commissioners expressed concern TerraPower could receive the wrong impression if the packet remained uncorrected.

County staff recommended drafting a short clarification, having the chairman sign it, and routing it through the Leavenworth County Development Council (LCDC), which would forward material to the governor’s office and on to TerraPower. The board agreed and asked staff to prepare the letter and obtain the chairman’s signature.

Commissioners debated whether a public correction to Representative Dave Beeler’s letter was necessary. One commissioner advised a private meeting with the representative rather than issuing a public correction, saying, "Not every action requires a reaction." Another commissioner argued an early clarification would prevent misinterpretation by TerraPower.

Next steps: staff will draft the clarifying letter, the chairman will sign it, and staff will route it through LCDC so the clarification reaches TerraPower via the existing information flow.