Valar Atomics Pursues Nuclear Data Center Permit in Carbon County

rolled-up construction blueprints and a hard hat resting on the hood of a dusty white pickup truck overlooking a vast, arid desert valley with sagebrush and dis

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Valar Atomics Files Proposal for Nuclear-Powered Energy Campus

Utah-based startup Valar Atomics has officially submitted plans to develop a nuclear-powered energy and data center campus in Carbon County. The proposal, which includes both a natural gas plant and dozens of small nuclear reactors, will be presented to the Carbon County Planning Commission at a special meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Details of the Proposed Raceway Energy Campus

The Raceway Energy Campus is planned for a site near Wellington, covering approximately 640 acres leased from the Utah Trust Lands Administration. Valar Atomics' initial lease covers 480 acres, with an additional 160 acres anticipated upon the Utah National Guard's relocation from neighboring land. The campus would feature a natural gas plant to supply power to manufacturing facilities, laboratories, and data center buildings until the nuclear reactors are brought online. Once operational, the reactors would provide the primary power source, with the natural gas plant remaining in use for backup power and peak periods.

Conditional Use Permit and Regulatory Oversight

Valar Atomics is seeking a conditional use permit from Carbon County, asserting that its planned activities—including reactor construction, nuclear fuel fabrication, and on-site fuel storage—are allowed under the location’s mining and grazing zoning. The company requests broad approval for its operations, aiming for future modifications such as changes to reactor design, quantity, or building layouts to be automatically covered by the permit. Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Energy (DOE), and Utah Division of Air Quality, would handle oversight of reactor operations, emissions, and environmental impacts.

Mitigation Measures and Water Use

According to its application, Valar Atomics plans to use closed-loop helium systems to cool reactor cores and closed-loop water systems for data centers, resulting in what it describes as "zero local water" usage for the main operations. Some water would still be used for fire protection, employee plumbing, and construction, but quantities will be determined in subsequent water rights or supply contracts. The company has proposed several mitigation measures, such as road improvements, restrictions on noisy or dusty construction processes, and limitations on nighttime activities. Spent nuclear fuel would be managed in NRC-licensed dry storage systems, and low-level radioactive waste would be temporarily stored before transport to licensed facilities.

Public Opposition and Community Concerns

The proposal has met with skepticism and opposition from some local residents and state officials. State Senator Nate Blouin noted that the inclusion of a sizeable natural gas plant is a new development in Valar’s plans and expressed concerns about the company's promotion of "unproven nuclear technology." Community member Leo Hardy has called on county residents to attend the planning commission meeting and has criticized the planning process, pointing to what he sees as a lack of responsiveness to public input and procedural transparency.

Next Steps for the Valar Atomics Project

The upcoming special meeting by the Carbon County Planning Commission represents the first formal opportunity for county leaders to consider the project’s permit application and set conditions or requirements. Opponents have indicated plans to attend and voice their perspectives, marking a critical step in the ongoing debate over the future of the proposed nuclear data center campus in Utah.