KEMMERER — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a meeting at the South Lincoln Training & Events Center in Kemmerer on Tuesday, July 16, to gather public input on the environmental review process for the construction permit application from TerraPower. The company is seeking permission to build a Natrium nuclear power plant about three miles south of Kemmerer.

TerraPower submitted an application (Kemmerer Unit 1 Construction Permit Application) in March, seeking permission to construct its advanced sodium-cooled reactor design near the operational Naughton coal-fired power plant. Should the NRC grant the permit, TerraPower will subsequently apply for a separate operating license.

Speakers on the NRC panel included Lead Environmental Project Manager Patricia Vokoun, Environmental Project Manager Joe O’Hara and Lead Licensing Project Manager Mallecia Sutton.   

The purpose of the meeting was to provide an overview of the NRC’s mission, describe the review process and listen to comments from the public. In addition to determining the safety of building the 334-acre nuclear reactor site, the NRC is evaluating the environmental impacts. 

In a meeting with the press, the NRC was asked if the first-of-its-kind TerraPower reactor had raised any concerns so far in the review process.

“As we go through the review process,” Sutton said, “we will determine if there are any additional novelties associated with this reactor, but we have not uncovered anything at this time.”

Reiterating the purpose of the evening’s meeting, Vokoun said the NRC’s goal was to get feedback from locals and obtain knowledge about the area. She said they are reaching out to Native American tribes in the area for feedback, as well.

Acknowledging the rich fossil deposits in the area, Vokoun said the NRC follows a specific process for dealing with historic and archaeological findings. She said they reach out to the stakeholders involved and consult the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) as well as the State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO).

During the Q-and-A session, House District 18 Rep. Scott Heiner, R-Green River, asked if the on-site spent fuel storage will be inspected routinely. NRC Public Affairs Officer Scott Burnell said the fuel would be regularly inspected by the NRC to comply with agency requirements.

Other comments from the public involved concerns about groundwater and the location of the site being so close to the road that leads into town.

Kemmerer resident and owner of Willow Springs Water Todd Moores said he thinks the nuclear plant will bring new opportunities to the community.

“This project will introduce a new power source,” Moores said. “We are on the cutting edge of new technology, not just for Kemmerer, but for the world.”

The NRC offers multiple methods for filing comments on the environmental review before the Aug. 12 deadline. Comments can be submitted via email to TerraPowerEnvironmental@nrc.gov, or mailed to: Office of Administration, Mail Stop TWFN-7-A60M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC, 20555-0001.

When submitting a comment, the NRC asks that name and email be provided.

A copy of the TerraPower construction permit application, including the environmental report, is available at the Kemmerer library or on the NRC website.