Eagle Mountain requires energy to support its data centers and accommodate its expanding population.
Eagle Mountain is in need of energy resources.
The city west of Utah Lake has seen its population skyrocket in past years, making it Utah’s third fastest-growing city. And Google and Meta, Facebook’s parent company, are building energy-intensive data centers there.
To meet that demand, Eagle Mountain is considering allowing small nuclear reactors and other alternate power sources, like natural gas power plants and battery storage systems, to be built on some land in the city.
But when the ordinance came up for a vote Tuesday night, the city’s planning commission didn’t endorse it.
"Eagle Mountain is facing a significant demand for power; however, it's a broader issue that affects the entire state. We lack the local workforce, the supply chains, and much of the essential infrastructure required to effectively implement small modular reactors," stated Evan Berrett, the city’s director of economic development.
"That doesn't imply we were incapable at some point... but all those foundations need to be established beforehand," he went on.
Although the planning commission ultimately decided against the change, the final decision regarding the proposed ordinance will rest with the Eagle Mountain City Council.
Eagle Mountain’s proposal dovetails with the state’s recent push to develop infrastructure for nuclear power. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox in December said he wants to commit $20.4 million to that goal, and right before the new year, the state joined Texas and a nuclear energy start-up in suing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to loosen licensing requirements for small nuclear reactors.
However, numerous residents of Eagle Mountain expressed to the city's planning commission that they oppose the establishment of any nuclear reactors in their community, both now and in the future.
"Small modular reactors pose a threat to any community," stated Daniel Foreman, a resident of the city.
What are the reasons for embracing small modular reactors and other energy sources?
Brandon Larsen, the city’s planning director, said Eagle Mountain officials started thinking about this change while working with Enyo Renewable Energy LLC. The company wants to build solar panels and battery storage in the city, but Larsen said “there were some code challenges in approving that application” at Tuesday’s planning commission meeting.
“Additionally, this is a period filled with numerous developments in the energy sector,” Larsen told the commission, “both at the state, national, and international scales.”
While Enyo suggested the use of solar energy and natural gas, the focus of the commissioners and those present at the meeting shifted predominantly to the potential implementation of small nuclear reactors in Eagle Mountain.
Larsen clarified that any energy initiative in Eagle Mountain, such as the construction of a small modular reactor, would involve an extensive approval process. “Essentially, this proposal would allow us to begin accepting applications for such projects,” he stated.
Berrett, the economic development director for the city, indicated that it will likely take several years before commercial small modular reactors become a reality. He emphasized that Eagle Mountain is not interested in becoming a "test site" for this technology. According to him, the suggested modification would address a need that extends into the future.
Commissioner Brent Strong concurred, stating, “It’s important that we keep our options available for decision-making and allow technology to lead the way.”
"If we delay the initiation of the permitting process for nuclear and other energy infrastructure by 20 years," Strong remarked, "we will find ourselves lagging behind."
Strong ultimately decided against recommending the ordinance change to the city council.
Both Berrett and Larsen expressed that the presence of multiple energy sources in Eagle Mountain could draw in additional commercial and industrial developments, resulting in increased tax revenue for the city and job opportunities for its expanding population.
Commissioner Bryan Free expressed his support for the suggested modification.
“I understand the concerns about living near a [small modular reactor], and I share your feelings about not wanting to be close to one, or to a battery storage facility or solar panels,” he stated on Tuesday. “However, it’s crucial that we address our energy requirements, so we need to explore all possible options.”
"Let's hold off until someone else has taken on the risk."
On Tuesday night, a number of residents from Eagle Mountain voiced their opposition to the proposed ordinance.
Shawn Wright, a grandfather and software engineer residing in the city, expressed concerns about the state's initiative to promote nuclear energy: “Does this imply that some standards might be overlooked or that corners could be cut?”
“Why is Eagle Mountain so eager to step forward on this,” Wright went on, “considering that in 10 to 15 years, this whole valley will be bustling with residents?”
Joy Rasmussen, a fellow resident of Eagle Mountain, accompanied Wright in inquiring with the commission about the safety of small modular reactors.
She expressed apprehension regarding the heightened cancer risk associated with residing near a nuclear reactor. "If we truly aren't prepared, let's postpone altering the code for 15 years," Rasmussen stated. "Let's allow someone else to take on that risk."
Carmen Valdez, a policy associate with the Salt Lake City-based Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah, said she supports “more affordable and readily available energy projects” like solar and battery power over “costly, experimental [small modular reactor] technologies.”
Valdez further noted that the reactors continue to generate dangerous radioactive waste, which might be kept on-site at Eagle Mountain.
Larsen, the city's planning director, pointed out possible concerns regarding the water supply necessary for cooling small modular reactors and various other initiatives.
"He mentioned that almost every power generation initiative in Eagle Mountain would require a cooling method that does not rely on water."
"We have a limited supply of water available, and we aren't planning to allocate any to a power generation plant," Larsen added. "This resource is essential for other types of commercial and residential developments."
The Eagle Mountain City Council may address the proposed ordinance that was rejected by the planning commission as early as next week.