Kemmerer nuke plant discussed at economic development meeting

Kayne Pyatt, Herald Reporter
Posted 12/14/21

Final meeting of year

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Kemmerer nuke plant discussed at economic development meeting

Posted

EVANSTON — Ron Wild from Rocky Mountain Power was the main speaker for the final meeting of the year for the Uinta County Economic Development Commission. Wild was there to discuss the impact on Uinta County of the natrium nuclear power plant to be built in Kemmerer.

“The nuclear plant owned by TerraPower is now working on getting permits done, which could take two to three years to get everything in place,” Wild said. “When they begin construction, they expect to hire 2,000 construction workers. This plant is a win for all of southwest Wyoming.”

In response to a variety of questions, Wild said he thinks the construction workers would come from everywhere and he didn’t know if they would use man camps or local housing. As far as when the coal plants would be shut down, Wild said he didn’t have that information. He said the nuclear facility will be in the same area as the Naughton Plant, but he added that they would not scrap the Naughton Plant and build on that foundation. He said there will be lots of opportunity for cross training of existing Naughton employees.

“A representative from TerraPower, Rita Meyers, will be coming soon to answer questions and provide more information,” Wild said. “NextGen is already working with Western Wyoming Community College (WWCC) to provide specific training and they have an existing operator certification program which they are expanding to two classes.”

Commission Chair Dan Wheeler asked Wild what Uinta County could do to prepare for the coming nuclear plant to Kemmerer. Wild encouraged the commission to continue to build regional partnerships and significant relationships in support of each other.

“This is a positive for Rocky Mountain Power,” Wild said. “We continue to be the energy leader into the future. We all need to be open minded and accept things as they come along. This nuclear plant isn’t the only one to come, it is just a pilot project.”

BOCES Director Mike Williams added that it would be important for the Commission to attend the Southwest Manufacturing Partnership (SWMP) meetings that are held in Rock Springs every three to four months at WWCC. He added that WWCC is focusing on building up their programs in Evanston and there needs to be a business presence from Evanston attending the meetings to have a voice in the plans.

Wild agreed and added that whoever attends needs to be a person of authority who can speak for the area. He said that the SWMP has a career-path video developed for high schools, and they need someone to approach the school district and get them to use it. SWMP is also developing partnerships with various unions across the state. 

Kiley Ingersoll with the Wyoming Business Council said the WBC also supports the project with SWMP.

Prior to Wild’s presentation, commission member Jon Conrad asked members if there was anything they would like to add to the key performance indicators spreadsheet. He noticed there are at least four items that need to be eliminated as tracking is unavailable or they are no longer relevant. Conrad asked the commission members to let him know if there are other topics that need to be removed as the goal is to have a continuing evolving relevant document.

Commission member Tib Ottley with Uinta Realty reported that there are 49 homes listed presently, with only 23 active sales. He said that the ongoing housing shortage in Bridger Valley is much worse, with only four active listings. He added that 210 homes had been sold in Evanston this year, which was a 5-7% increase over last year, and the average price was $255,000, compared to $197,400 last year, an almost 30% increase. Houses average 69 days on the market, due to the fact that it is difficult to get appraisers, Ottley said. 

“There were 30 building lots sold this year and only five last year,” Ottley said. “We have 30 or 40 developed lots available. Also, lots of subdivisions have been approved but none built yet because the infrastructure is not there.”

Conrad then referred to a presentation fact sheet he had developed, attached to the agenda.  He asked the commission to review it for additions or corrections.

“I think using this prior to having a speaker come would make the meetings more productive and within time constraints,” Conrad said. “The sheet could be handed in to our director, Gary Welling, to send out to members and they could be prepared with questions ahead of time.”

Wheeler agreed it would be a good idea and, responding to concerns, added that it shouldn’t be compulsory or mandated.

Commission member Brent Hatch then called attention to a sample request for proposal also attached to the agenda. The RFP would request proposals for planning and design services on the creation of a site development master plan for the 1,000 acres located adjacent to the Bear River State Park.

“We need to start moving on the 1,000 acres,” Hatch said. “Gary, Dan and I drew this up and would like to give it to the County Commission for approval and distribution. We would also hold public meetings.”

The commission approved taking the RFP to the county commission, and Hatch said he would bring it before the county commission, of which he is a member, at its meeting the following week.