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Utah Forge representatives say Cape Station phase one nears online testing and phase two groundwork is underway
Summary
Company representatives updated commissioners that major equipment is installed at Cape Station, initial mechanical testing for phase one has begun with an expected 2026 online target, phase two clearing and permitting are in progress for a 2028 in‑service target, and public seismic monitoring has shown no red events.
Representatives from the Utah Forge test site told the Beaver County Commission on March 17 that construction has advanced rapidly at Cape Station and company teams are entering the commissioning phase for phase one.
"We've actually started breaking ground on phase two, and we're also getting very close to coming online for our phase one later this year," said Sheldon, identified in the meeting as a site permitting manager for the project. He said major pumps and high‑voltage transmission work have been delivered and installed, and that crews are performing mechanical commissioning and initial testing.
The presenters said phase one consists of three units totaling about 100 megawatts and that phase two is expected to add roughly 400 megawatts across multiple 50‑MW units. They described routing plans for oversized equipment to limit disruption to small towns and said they are negotiating pullouts and other mitigations with property owners along local dirt roads.
On seismic monitoring, the team said the project posts biannual seismic reports on its public website and follows a traffic‑light operating protocol. "We did not have any red events," a presenter said, adding that several yellow events triggered six‑hour operational pauses and adjustments that kept activity within safe operating ranges.
Economic impacts were also discussed: company staff reported hiring 16 local full‑time employees in Milford and described ongoing outreach to local schools and workforce programs. Staff noted an upcoming public circulation test planned to run roughly four months beginning in April; results are intended to be released publicly to inform future commercial development.
The presentation prompted questions from commissioners about workforce needs, timing for commissioning, road and safety impacts, and whether future phases will require additional local infrastructure. Company staff said the county will be notified about permit filings and that they welcome continued coordination on traffic, road impacts and workforce housing.
The commission took no formal action on the presentation. The company representatives said they would return with permits and updates as phase two planning advances.
