Eagle Mountain, it won't take years for nuclear reactors to come to our city if we don't keep taking a stand. The military just flew in a small reactor to Emery County, Utah, which will start operating in July of this year, 2026. Our governor Cox wants to add many more reactors. Please contact your legislature and make it clear we don't want reactors in or near our city, so they don't drop them here next! Quote: "The governor also emphasized Utah’s willingness to lead the nation’s efforts to beef up energy production. The partnership with Valar, Cox noted, aligns with his Operation Gigawatt initiative to double the state’s energy production in the next decade. The state’s largest utilities are already struggling to keep up with new power demands, largely driven by artificial intelligence and huge data centers....Spent fuels will be stored on site, Taylor confirmed... the company plans to build hundreds of reactors to power data centers and new manufacturing in the nation."
https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2026/02/16/us-military-flies-nuclear-reactor/
Utah state legislature passed HB 249, creating a new unelected state government entity, and taking almost $11 million of taxpayer money to fund nuclear reactors with their waste storage throughout the state.
On December 10, 2024, Enyo Energy proposed changes to Eagle Mountain's zoning laws to pave the way for building a Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMR) in our city. During the meeting, representatives were asked whether the energy produced would benefit Eagle Mountain residents. Enyo revealed that the reactor's output is intended primarily for their profit, doubtless to power data centers for their AI.
If you have concerns about this proposed change to our city code, you can find the dates and times for upcoming Eagle Mountain City Council meetings through this link.
Here’s why placing a Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMR) within city limits is a risky decision for Eagle Mountain:
Safety Concerns: Even with passive safety features, there’s still a risk of failure during extreme events like earthquakes, floods, or equipment malfunctions.
Proximity to Residents: SMRs located near populated areas could expose people to potential radiation risks in case of accidents or leaks.
Nuclear Waste: Storing and managing radioactive waste remains a long-term issue, with potential environmental and health risks.
Cost Uncertainty: While proponents claim SMRs are cheaper, there’s evidence suggesting they might not be cost-effective, especially when factoring in long-term maintenance and waste disposal.
Terrorism and Security Risks: Increased vulnerability to sabotage or terrorism due to reduced security measures and smaller exclusion zones.
Environmental Impact: Potential adverse effects on local ecosystems from radiation leaks or cooling water discharge.
Infrastructure Strain: Increased strain on local infrastructure, such as roads and emergency services, in case of accidents or disasters.
Long-Term Uncertainty: Lack of a proven track record for SMRs means long-term reliability and risks are still unknown.