$1.8 million being used to show the public, lawmakers the benefits of nuclear energy
Jul 16, 2025, 1:01 PM | Updated: 8:21 pm
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox convenes the “Built Here” nuclear energy summit in Utah, along with Govs. Brad Little of Idaho and Mark Gordon of Wyoming, to discuss the future of nuclear in this region on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The state of Utah is using $1.8 million to educate residents on several different nuclear energy topics.
In documents posted on a public procurement website, the state outlines eight points the campaign should hit:
- Why nuclear energy is a valuable and necessary resource.
- How it can help Utah meet it’s economic and environmental goals.
- Nuclear weapons vs. energy.
- State and federal oversight of nuclear plants, waste and mining.
- Mining, enrichment and transport of uranium and fuel.
- Spent energy and waste management, including transportation.
- Waste storage.
- Economic benefits of nuclear energy.
In a scope of work document on the public procurement website, the authors said many people are afraid of nuclear energy, partially from the use of nuclear weapons and past nuclear accidents. Despite that, the article indicates that nuclear energy is a good option to meet the states energy goals.
The campaign will last about a year and a half and the firm who will run it is still being determined by the Office of Energy Development.
In October 2024, Gov. Spencer Cox announced Operation Gigawatt, an initiative to double the state’s energy production over the next ten years, which includes the use of nuclear energy.
“Operation Gigawatt will secure Utah’s traditional role of being a net energy exporter and ensure the state can sustain growth while also protecting the quality of life for its citizens,” one of the documents state.
How do people feel about nuclear energy?
A poll conducted February 2025 by the Deseret News found that many Utahns have mixed feelings about nuclear energy.
According to Deseret News, the poll included 805 registered voters where 49% said they are in favor of nuclear reactors being built in Utah. The rest, 31%, said they are in opposition of the idea and the last 19% were undecided.
Screenshot, Deseret News article ‘Is Utah turning a new page to embrace nuclear energy? Poll shows many Utahns would support the move’
Cox has said he believes nuclear energy is needed to meet current demands both in the state and globally. In this last legislative session the Nuclear Power Amendments bill was passed. This creates the Utah Energy Council and the Nuclear Energy Consortium, a group of businesses working to get nuclear energy in the state.
Related:
Is Utah turning a new page to embrace nuclear energy? Poll shows many Utahns would support the move
Gov. Cox calls for focus on energy this legislative session
