Utah is experiencing a nuclear energy revival, with two major small modular reactor projects now underway in Green River and Brigham City, designed to establish the state as a nuclear energy leader while securing reliable power for future economic growth. The Green River initiative, announced Wednesday, marks the return of a nuclear proposal that has sat largely dormant for nearly two decades. Fulcrum Point Holdings and Blue Castle Holdings are partnering to advance the project using small modular reactors, or SMRs, the same technology being deployed in the parallel Brigham City effort.

What Are Small Modular Reactors and Why Does Utah Need Them?

Small modular reactors represent a fundamentally different approach to nuclear power than the massive plants that dominated the industry for decades. Rather than building a single enormous facility, SMRs are compact units that can be deployed in pairs or clusters, offering flexibility in where and how much power gets generated. The Green River and Brigham City projects both plan to use Holtec International's SMR-300 design, which typically operates in pairs and can generate 640 megawatts of power combined.

What makes SMRs particularly attractive for Utah's energy future is their operational flexibility and reduced environmental footprint. Unlike traditional nuclear plants that require massive cooling systems and enormous water supplies, Holtec's SMR-300 units can operate with air-cooling systems, eliminating the need for large quantities of water for cooling. This addresses a critical concern that plagued earlier incarnations of the Green River project, which faced legal challenges roughly a decade ago over water usage concerns.

How Is Utah Building Its Nuclear Infrastructure?

• Regulatory Pathway: Both projects must navigate federal licensing processes through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, requiring extensive technical documentation, environmental review, and public comment periods before construction can begin.
• Local and State Support: Emery County Commissioner Jordan Leonard stated that the Green River project represents "an opportunity to continue our role as an energy leader while bringing new jobs, investment, and long-term opportunity to our county," signaling strong regional backing.
• Manufacturing Ecosystem: The Brigham City project includes plans for a manufacturing facility to produce SMR-300 units for export, positioning Utah to capture economic value across the entire nuclear supply chain and not just power generation.
• Technology Partnerships: Both projects rely on Holtec International's proven SMR-300 design, requiring ongoing collaboration with the reactor manufacturer, utilities, and potentially international partners interested in purchasing units.

Fulcrum Point Holdings, founded by Chris Hayter, the head of Hi Tech Solutions and the main force behind the Brigham City initiative, announced its partnership with Blue Castle Holdings to advance the Green River project. The two firms are positioning themselves as development partners to move the project from years of groundwork into execution.

"Fulcrum Point is stepping into this project as a true development partner to help move the Blue Castle Project from years of groundwork into the next phase of execution. Blue Castle has done important work to position this site for success, and we now bring the technical, operational and project development capabilities needed to help advance it through licensing, deployment planning and eventual construction," said Chris Hayter.

Chris Hayter, Founder of Fulcrum Point Holdings

How Does Utah's Nuclear Strategy Fit Into Broader U.S. Technology Goals?

Utah's nuclear expansion aligns with broader U.S. technology strategy. In May 2026, the United States and Sweden signed a Technology Prosperity Deal that explicitly includes cooperation on nuclear energy, with a focus on "strengthening civil nuclear energy cooperation by facilitating commercial partnerships while identifying and addressing market barriers to accelerate the deployment of nuclear power reactors, including advanced reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs), as well as fusion technologies". This international framework suggests that SMR deployment is becoming a priority across multiple allied nations, not just a regional Utah initiative.

State leaders have tied Utah's nuclear development to the state's broader energy strategy through Governor Spencer Cox's Operation Gigawatt initiative, which aims to ensure Utah has sufficient power capacity for future growth. Energy adviser Emy Lesofski emphasized this commitment, noting that partnerships with innovators like Holtec International and Hi Tech Solutions are helping the state achieve its vision of reliable, innovative, and secure energy.

"Utah is building an energy future that is reliable, innovative, clean and secure through Operation Gigawatt. Partnerships with innovators like Holtec International and Hi Tech Solutions are helping us achieve that future and seeing communities like Green River help secure Utah's legacy of energy abundance," said Emy Lesofski.

Emy Lesofski, Energy Adviser to Governor Cox and Director of the Utah Office of Energy Development

The Green River and Brigham City projects represent more than just local energy initiatives. They signal a strategic pivot toward advanced nuclear technology as a foundation for economic growth, manufacturing competitiveness, and technological leadership. With no specific timeline announced for either project, development will likely unfold over several years, but the momentum behind Utah's nuclear strategy appears to be accelerating. The convergence of state support, private investment, and international cooperation suggests that Utah is positioning itself as a key player in the next generation of American nuclear energy infrastructure.