Gordon lauds TerraPower’s uranium announcement

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Gov. Mark Gordon congratulated TerraPower for its announcement Wednesday of efforts to secure a consistent source of non-Russian high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) as a positive strategy for Wyoming and the nation.

Last summer, following an extensive process involving four finalist communities, TerraPower broke ground on Natrium — its first commercial- scale nuclear plant, in Kemmerer, near an existing coal facility.

According to TerraPower’s release, securing access to HALEU “... serves as one of many investments TerraPower has in the Natrium reactor and energy storage system being developed in Kemmerer.”

“Recognizing domestic production of uranium is not yet at capacity, TerraPower’s procurement of non-Russian uranium is a welcome and smart move that will benefit the plant in Kemmerer, our state, and our country,” Gordon said in a news release. “I applaud TerraPower’s commitment to continue to pursue Wyoming uranium opportunities. A consistent source of HALEU is vital for the new generation of small modular nuclear facilities and domestic security.

“It’s important we avail ourselves of a balanced all-of-the-above, multi-source energy portfolio to meet rising demand here in Wyoming, in the West and nationwide,” Gordon said.

This story was published on October 31, 2024.