City Council Moves Forward on Nuclear Power Option

Uranium (Nuclear Minerals) / Nuclear Power - Economics, Design, & Industry

Date posted: 07/24/15

Mori Kessler reports that as cities seek viable alternatives to coal-fueled power generation, one alternative being explored and invested in by Washington City, Utah is nuclear power. During a meeting Wednesday night, the City Council approved an agreement with the Carbon Free Power Project that will provide funds toward identifying potential sites for a nuclear power plant. The Carbon Free Power Project is focused around the future use of small modular nuclear reactors being developed by Oregon-based NuScale Power. The compact reactors are anticipated to generate around 50 megawatts of power per unit. NuScale Power has proposed to build a power plant housing 12 of the compact reactors and produce an estimated 600 megawatts of power. The plant is slated to be built in the area of Idaho Falls, Idaho. If the project comes to fruition, the plant will be built and operational by 2024. Washington City Manager Roger Carter said that they are looking at a need of approximately 11 megawatts, or 11,000 kilowatts (for the city) from this facility once it is up and running. Washington City commitment for the first phase of the agreement is $20,000, with the overall cost being shared behind participating cities. The second phase of the agreement could run between $1.3 million to $2.6 million overall depending upon whether or not UAMPS partners with NuScale on the project. If it does, NuScale will cover half of the cost. The project has also received a $250 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop the compact reactors, Carter said. Washington City could pull out of the project if it felt it was was not viable, Carter said, but that would only apply for so long. Once the project progresses far enough, the city will be locked in, he said. Their concern of course is making sure that they have an adequate baseload come 2024, and power, especially with our growth.