TerraPower Begins Construction of Advanced Nuclear Reactor in Wyoming

Following final approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in March 2026, TerraPower has begun full-scale construction of an advanced nuclear reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The plant is designed to be the first of many, utilizing liquid sodium metal cooling and underground construction to enhance safety and accelerate build speed. The project is scheduled to be online by 2031 and is expected to provide electricity for nearly 500,000 homes, likely in Salt Lake City.

Construction is driven by a surge in electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers, leading TerraPower to sign agreements with Meta to build up to eight reactors. The project is partially funded by a 2 billion dollar contribution from the federal government's infrastructure law and a Department of Energy pilot program.

In tandem with the construction, Utah Governor Spencer Cox has applied for the region to become a Department of Energy nuclear hub for fuel enrichment and waste storage. While local officials in Kemmerer welcome the economic revitalization, environmental groups such as the Healthy Environment Alliance Utah have criticized the move, citing concerns over radioactive waste storage and the potential for the region to become a sacrifice zone due to its proximity to the Great Salt Lake.