LYMAN — The Uinta County Economic Development Commission (UCEDC) meeting was held at the Lyman Town Hall on Wednesday, July 26, at 3 p.m. Two main topics — a proposed Wyoming shooting complex and an update on the TerraPower Natrium nuclear reactor in Kemmerer — dominated the two-hourlong meeting.

Wyoming Energy Futures CEO Rita Meyer, representing TerraPower, provided an update on the progress of the nuclear reactor facility. Meyer, a Rocky Mountain Power retiree, was recruited to represent TerraPower in Lincoln County. 

“The biggest concerns I hear from residents about the TerraPower project are concerns over infrastructure, housing, construction impacts and the impact on schools and other agencies,” Meyer said. “TerraPower has had over 4,500 engagements with people and are actively engaged with the public and government entities.”

Meyer said that other counties in Wyoming are expressing interest in the technology of nuclear power and are beginning to consider moving away from fossil fuels. She said Pacificorp sees nuclear as part of their integrative resource plan to back up wind and solar energy.

Meyer reviewed the history of TerraPower’s Natrium technology and the federal government’s passing of a bipartisan bill that provides $1.4 billion for support of Natrium reactors. She said the Natrium technology builds on years of research using liquid sodium as a cooling agent.

“This new Natrium reactor redefines nuclear energy. It is smaller and eliminates the nuclear sprawl,” Meyer said. “It costs less from design to operation; its simplicity and rapid construction are pluses; it is designed for specific staffing; it has a minus 41% net thermal efficiency and it will integrate with renewables.”

The sodium-testing facility will be built in 2024 and will support more facilities than just the one in Kemmerer, Meyers said. The main impact of construction workers will be around 1,500 at any given time, and there will be 200 to 250 full-time jobs when the plant is in operation. At this time, the estimated completion date is 2028, with an operation date of 2030.

Meyer said TerraPower is working closely with the federal government for help in investing in developing companies in the U.S. that will produce the enriched uranium the reactor will need. The goal is to have the fuel ready when the reactor is ready for it.

UCEDC chair Dan Wheeler asked Meyer what TerraPower expects from Uinta County.

“You will see a huge need for temporary housing, and we know that Kemmerer will not be able to handle all of the need,” Meyers said. “There will also be a need for cottage industries, especially niche manufacturing of components, a need for security personnel and training facilities.”

There will be opportunities for local contractors who contact TerraPower, Meyers said, adding that there will be enough work for anyone. Western Wyoming Community College and the University of Wyoming are working with TerraPower to provide training.

In response to questions regarding water usage and waste storage, Meyers said the nuclear waste will be stored on site and the natrium reactor burns more efficiently and produces less waste. She said it uses almost the same amount of water as the coal plant does. The sodium used in the cooling process comes from U.S. sources.

UCEDC member and state Rep. Jon Conrad spoke next about a proposed state shooting complex.

“The legislature passed SF-169 to set up a task force to find and select the best site in the state to build a state shooting complex,” Conrad said. “There has already been a lot of interest from other counties. This commission needs to submit a letter of interest for Uinta County. Lander has already submitted a letter of interest.”

Conrad said that, in 1937, the Pittman-Robertson Act set aside tax revenue from the sale of guns and ammo, and there is currently $10.1 billion in that fund that could be used. He said the task force wants this complex to be the “envy of the world” with lots of amenities and to be located within 10 miles of a town.

The task force will make their choice of the site based on criteria it will set up and the awarded applicant should meet 80% of the criteria. They will develop a ranking process. Some of that criteria will include whether it is private or state-run, whether it can pay for itself; it should provide long-range shooting up to 3,400 yards with 2,000 yards minimum; it should involve the public on its design; local government should support it; it should be close to an airport; there should be camping sites and hotel rooms available nearby; there should be a buffer to residential areas; and the facility should have the ability to expand.

The task force will do on-site visits and counties may be able to resubmit and refine their applications. The task force will give a status update and report in January 2025 before making its final recommendation by November 2025.

Conrad said Uinta County’s strengths in submitting a letter of interest are that the county is within an hour of an international airport, they have land (possibly the 1,000 acres adjacent to Bear River State Park), recreational opportunities such as the golf course, Southwest Wyoming Off-road Trails (SWOT), fireworks, Wyoming Downs, ammo is readily available, gun manufacturers in the county, an active tourism trade, a hunting destination, and military training close by with Hill Air Force Base in Utah and the National Guard in Evanston.

“Our weaknesses are a lack of shopping opportunities for spouses, few restaurants, a lack of rental cars, minimal RV parks, strong competition, and the weather in the winter hinders travel,” Conrad said. “We also don’t know what public opinion will be towards a shooting complex.”

Ben Kemp of  R&K Hunting Co., who also coaches the Lyman High School trap team, added his support to Conrad’s appeal. He said shooting is the fastest-growing high school sport. He said to shoot long distances takes applying both science and math, adding that there is extensive interest in bringing this kind of a facility to southwest Wyoming.

“I would help to market the complex, and you have my full support and help,” Kemp said.

Wheeler thanked Conrad for his passion and time in bringing this to the commission. The commission members all agreed they needed to send a letter of interest to the task force.

Closing out the meeting, member Brent Hatch reported that he, Sen. Wendy Schuler, Evanston Mayor Kent Williams, and Kiley Ingersoll with Wyoming Business Council had met with the governor’s chief of staff, Drew Perkins and the policy director for health Jen Davis regarding the old Wyoming State Hospital buildings. He said the buildings will be destroyed and the demolition is set for July of next year.

Hatch also reported that the new rodeo bleachers will arrive on Wednesday, Aug. 2, and the completion date is set for Aug. 31, in time for Cowboy Days. Portable bleachers will be added on the east and west side of the arena.