Emery County holds public hearing on microreactor testing at San Rafael Energy Lab

Emery County, Utah — Emery County held a public hearing on June 17 to collect community input about proposals to test small nuclear reactors and other energy research at the San Rafael Energy Lab.

The San Rafael Energy Lab’s director, Jared Wallace, told the meeting that the facility — now state-owned — has drawn interest from companies including Valor Atomics and NuCube, and emphasized these proposals are for test reactors, not large-scale power plants. "This isn't a large scale reactor. This isn't even a power reactor," Wallace said, describing the projects as research and demonstration efforts aimed at understanding how to build the technology more cheaply and safely.

Why it matters: county officials and many residents framed the discussion as weighing potential local economic gains (jobs, manufacturing and tax base) against public-safety and public-health concerns. County speakers and attendees repeatedly asked for clearer timelines, transparent information about permitting and safety features, and assurances about housing and property-tax impacts if projects proceed.

Supporters at the hearing described local experience with energy-sector employment and urged the county to pursue economic diversification. "We should be part of that change and not left behind," said Diana Thompson, a Hunter Power Plant employee, citing concern for jobs and the county's long-term future. Several other residents recounted family histories of employment in coal or power plants and urged the county to pursue manufacturing opportunities tied to new energy technologies.

Opponents and concerned attendees focused on safety and health risks, historic nuclear testing and the adequacy of public outreach. Jeff Hayward said he opposed nuclear development over safety and terrorism risks: "I don't think nuclear's safe," he added, urging caution about widely distributed small units. Multiple residents described cancer in families and past testing exposure; Barbara Jones said, "I am a cancer survivor of the atomic testing," and called for more robust, ongoing public information.

State and county officials acknowledged community concerns while stressing safety review and future engagement. Jeremy Pearson, identified at the meeting as a director with state energy development, said newer reactor designs incorporate passive safety features and recommended technology-specific public meetings so companies can present details. "One of the most exciting things is really drilling into the new safety aspects of these reactors," Pearson said, describing passive shutdown features that can cool the device without staff intervention.

Other issues raised: several speakers asked how many workers would relocate for construction or operations and how that could affect housing and property taxes; commissioners and staff noted that some renewable-energy revenues (cited at the meeting as 10% of certain solar revenues) are being considered to fund affordable housing. Attendees also asked whether the county retains influence over projects now that the lab is state-owned; county officials said they had been involved in negotiations and would continue to press for local input.

What happens next: commissioners said the hearing will not be the last public meeting and pledged more outreach and technology-specific briefings as proposals solidify. Staff noted a recent land-use survey of 152 responses that showed local support in the sample but underscored the need for broader community engagement. County officials encouraged residents to submit questions through the commission office.

The hearing provided a cross-section of views: support for research, cautious interest in potential jobs and manufacturing, and persistent skepticism rooted in health, safety and transparency concerns. Commissioners closed by inviting continued public comment and promising additional meetings and presentations as companies and regulators clarify proposals.