A proposal for a nuclear manufacturing facility nearby continues to divide the small town of Bar Nunn, as plans include temporarily storing spent fuel on-site. For over an hour Tuesday, residents expressed fears about transparency and safety risks while others championed the potential for economic growth and the chance to put Wyoming at the forefront of a new industry.
Radiant Industries, a California-based company, is proposing to build a factory in Natrona County to produce its portable nuclear microreactors, called Kaleidos. The small, self-contained fission reactors would use helium as a coolant and TRISO fuel, a type of fuel that is highly resistant to melting. The factory would manage the entire lifecycle of the reactors, from assembly and fueling to on-site testing and storage of used fuel cores in dry casks.
The company says the project will create high-paying jobs and help diversify Wyoming’s economy. Radiant also has partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Air Force and Uranium Energy Corp., which is expected to help the company make Wyoming a hub for advanced nuclear technology.
Despite the project’s potential, it faces a legal hurdle. Wyoming law prohibits the storage of high-level radioactive waste unless it’s produced by a nuclear power generation facility located within the state. That means Radiant must convince the state legislature to change the law to allow for the temporary storage of spent fuel cores from its manufacturing process. The project also faces opposition from some local residents who are concerned about the facility’s proximity to homes, potential financial risks and a perceived lack of transparency from the company.
Opposition focuses on safety, financial concerns
Rob Kwasnicki, a resident who opposes the project, argued that spent nuclear fuel “presents an unacceptable risk to the health, safety and welfare of residents and is not a permitted use” for certain industrial zoning districts.
“As a town council, you are elected to represent the town of Bar Nunn, not the town of Casper, not Natrona County, not the state legislature, not any landowners or business interests,” he said.
Jason Foley, a journeyman electrician with experience at Idaho National Laboratory, expressed his opposition to the facility being 2 miles from his home. He said he viewed Wyoming as “a last bastion of state’s rights” and does not want it to cede power to federal agencies that oversee the industry.
“If you don’t believe that there is health and safety risks of dealing with nuclear radioactive material … it’s ignorant and it’s naïve,” he added.
Mitchell Groskopf raised concerns about the project’s financial implications. He argued that the tax rules and trade zones related to the project could leave Bar Nunn with costs but little revenue, especially if the reactors are sold out of state.
Other residents pressed the council on a perceived lack of transparency. Rozmaring Czaban questioned whether the town had a legally binding contract with Radiant after the council said it could open the town to litigation if it denied water and sewer hookups for the company. Multiple councilmembers said there was no contract. Czaban also pointed to May 6 meeting minutes that suggested councilmembers were open to supporting a state grant for the company, even though later minutes showed the council’s opposition.
However, Radiant Chief Operating Officer Tori Shivanandan has previously said the company would pay the same taxes as any other business in the region.
Czaban suggested that Mayor Peter Boyer’s, Councilor Dan Sabrosky’s and Councilor Tyler Martin’s beliefs that Radiant’s proposal would benefit Bar Nunn creates a conflict of interest in their ability to make decisions regarding site annexation and zoning.
The council also heard discontent with the idea to rezone Radiant’s proposed site in favor of the company, which appeared to reference a 6 p.m. Tuesday workshop during which councilors talked zoning with the Zoning & Planning Commission. That discussion was not included in a recording of Tuesday’s Town Council meeting.
During the council’s Aug. 5 meeting, Boyer responded to requests to annex Radiant’s proposed site and zone it so the company couldn’t place its facility there, saying the town’s legal authority is limited because the site is outside city limits. Boyer explained that a 2019 state law prevents the council from voting on developments outside town limits, even within its designated growth boundary. The council’s only role in such matters is to provide an opinion to the county, which will make the final decision, he said.
Supporters champion economic opportunity
On the other side, supporters of the project focused on the opportunity for economic and technological advancement.
Matt Keating, a Casper resident, said he was excited for Radiant to come to Natrona County, believing it could attract other businesses that will help feed already incoming power-hungry companies like data centers and AI operators to “keep the advantage that we need.”
“I really believe that you’re here at a pivotal moment because you guys are very much going to help influence the future of Bar Nunn,” he said.
Amy Womack, thanking those who were speaking about Radiant’s plans, said she believed that discussions have been held with integrity and honesty. She said the company will “put not only Wyoming, but America first in the world in this technology.” She dismissed fears about nuclear energy as “old” and urged the council to “stay steadfast in this resolution that we need to move forward.”
“So, if outside companies are already part of our economy, what is the problem with Radiant?”
William Wallace
William Wallace emphasized the need to retain young talent in Wyoming. He argued that Radiant’s presence would create “the kind of high-skilled, forward-looking work that makes our young people think twice about leaving.” He also addressed concerns about the spent fuel, calling dry cask storage “the most boring part of nuclear energy” and stressing the safety redundancy of the technology.
He pushed back on the idea that an outside company shouldn’t be allowed to bring investment to the state. He said Wyoming’s economy already depends on outside companies like Exxon, Conoco Phillips and Walmart, the state’s largest private employer.
“Union Pacific Railroad has operated here for generations. Halliburton, McDonald’s, Ford, they are not from here, yet they employ our people, they pay taxes here, and they are part of our daily lives,” Wallace said. “So, if outside companies are already part of our economy, what is the problem with Radiant?”
Data centers and AI are not a positive thing.
Amazing that all nuclear power plant construction was frozen in the late 70s early 80s when it could have helped lower costs for the people, until now when Corporations need the extra power.
We got by without it then, we dont need it now.