Editor:

There was a recent announcement that TerraPower has selected Sargent & Lundy (a world class architect/engineering firm) to design the Kemmerer Training Center for its Natrium reactor demonstration project in Kemmerer. Sargent & Lundy will begin design work immediately, completing construction on the training center in the fall of 2025.

The 30,000-square-foot training center will host all Natrium operation training activities for both the demonstration project and future nuclear plants.

This news announcement of Natrium Training Facility and the July 2024 presentation of the Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1-Industrial Siting  (at the Evanston Roundhouse) suggest a limited role that Evanston can play to obtain economic benefits from the Natrium reactor project.

The City of Kemmerer will provide much of the needed housing and life-sustaining infrastructure for the construction workers for both nuclear and power islands. The City of Kemmerer is in the process of planning its expansion. This includes a 900-unit apartment (groundbreaking scheduled for spring 2025), planned single-family neighborhoods and a significant increase in stores, shops, and restaurants that will support the construction activity and other economic opportunities.

The financial funds for such a venture will come from private investment, along with state and federal contributions. A spokesman indicated that TerraPower will assist Kemmerer in the development by providing accurate information of its needs but does not plan to provide financial resources for community development.

The first phase of the construction, Power Island, has already been contracted (to out-of-state companies). He also made it clear that the company will not support a transportation system for workers who choose to live in other towns, such as Evanston, Green River or Rock Springs.

For some Evanston residents that may produce a sigh of relief; this way, Evanston (and surrounding communities) will be spared the need for additional housing beyond our current town’s size and composition. Also, it eliminates the confusion that comes with more choices in stores, shops and restaurants.

But here is the reality, Evanston may not obtain a lot of private investment opportunities, and the state and federal funds that will be earmarked for the Kemmerer community will most likely come from fixed sources, thus reducing neighboring communities’ current level of appropriation. The Kemmerer expansion of the community will require more local (and out-of-state) trades and labor, thus increasing the cost and the length of time to satisfy Evanston’s construction needs.

There are three activities that Evanston can develop:

• Emergency radiological/fire response team located at the fire stations;

• Emergency radiological fire/response capabilities located at the Evanston hospital;

• Develop and maintain (ground and air) response vehicles.

This would allow federal funds for training, specialized equipment and increase personnel to be available for Evanston’s use until deployed to Kemmerer when needed. While Kemmerer’s fire response team and medical clinic will be provided with these capabilities, a close location remote from the contamination zone is also needed. Even without participation, the Natrium reactor project will likely harm Evanston’s future.

David M. Slaughter

Evanston