HEAL Utah Statement on NuScale and UAMPS Decision to Cancel "Carbon Free Power Project"
Contacts:
Lexi Tuddenham
Lexi@healutah.org
(801) 355-5055
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (November 8) – For years, HEAL Utah has monitored the developments surrounding the “Carbon Free Power Project,” a partnership between NuScale and UAMPS that promised to deliver energy to towns across Utah from small modular nuclear reactors by 2030. The decision to cancel this project comes as no surprise to us, as we’ve watched per kWh cost estimates surge as the proposal met the real-world costs of executing on an unproven, slow, and costly technology. Concurrently, the waning interest and withdrawal of several cities from the initiative underscored the growing concerns within our communities about the viability of the project, the timeline to meet their needs, and the financial risk that would have been placed on Utah ratepayers.
The unfortunate consequence of this cancellation is that it leaves many Utah cities with an unfulfilled promise as they grapple with the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions to power their communities. HEAL Utah emphasizes the need to shift towards renewable energy sources, storage, and system-wide efficiencies to match load with demand, developed with transparent processes and meaningful community involvement. As we navigate the path forward, it is crucial that we prioritize the development of energy solutions that not only meet our needs but also align with our shared commitment to a cleaner future.
HEAL Utah remains dedicated to advocating for responsible and transparent energy initiatives that benefit our communities and the environment. We call for renewed efforts to foster collaboration between stakeholders, ensuring that the path toward sustainable energy is inclusive, ethical, and considerate of the diverse needs of our state.
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About HEAL Utah
The Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah) has been an environmental advocacy organization, watchdog, and strategic influencer in Utah since 1999. By empowering grassroots advocates, using science-based solutions, and developing common-sense policy, HEAL has a track record of tackling some of the biggest threats to Utah’s environment and public health — and succeeding. The organization focuses on clean air, energy and climate, and radioactive waste. HEAL uses well-researched legislative, regulatory, and individual responsibility approaches to create tangible change, and then utilizes grassroots action to make it happen.