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HEAL Utah Statement on NuScale and UAMPS Decision to Cancel “Carbon Free Power Project”

HEAL Utah Statement on NuScale and UAMPS Decision to Cancel "Carbon Free Power Project"

Contacts:

Lexi Tuddenham 

Lexi@healutah.org

(801) 355-5055

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (Noviembre 8) – For years, HEAL Utah has monitored the developments surrounding the “Carbon Free Power Project,” a partnership between NuScale and UAMPS that promised to deliver energy to towns across Utah from small modular nuclear reactors by 2030. The decision to cancel this project comes as no surprise to us, as we’ve watched per kWh cost estimates surge as the proposal met the real-world costs of executing on an unproven, slow, and costly technology. Concurrently, the waning interest and withdrawal of several cities from the initiative underscored the growing concerns within our communities about the viability of the project, the timeline to meet their needs, and the financial risk that would have been placed on Utah ratepayers.

The unfortunate consequence of this cancellation is that it leaves many Utah cities with an unfulfilled promise as they grapple with the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions to power their communities. HEAL Utah emphasizes the need to shift towards renewable energy sources, storage, and system-wide efficiencies to match load with demand, developed with transparent processes and meaningful community involvement. As we navigate the path forward, it is crucial that we prioritize the development of energy solutions that not only meet our needs but also align with our shared commitment to a cleaner future.

HEAL Utah remains dedicated to advocating for responsible and transparent energy initiatives that benefit our communities and the environment. We call for renewed efforts to foster collaboration between stakeholders, ensuring that the path toward sustainable energy is inclusive, ethical, and considerate of the diverse needs of our state.

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Acerca de HEAL Utah

La Alianza para un Medio Ambiente Sano de Utah (HEAL Utah) es una organización de defensa del medio ambiente, un organismo de control y una influencia estratégica en Utah desde 1999. Mediante la capacitación de los defensores de base, el uso de soluciones basadas en la ciencia y el desarrollo de políticas de sentido común, HEAL tiene un historial de hacer frente a algunas de las mayores amenazas para el medio ambiente y la salud pública de Utah - y tener éxito. La organización se centra en el aire limpio, la energía y el clima, y los residuos radiactivos. HEAL utiliza enfoques legislativos, normativos y de responsabilidad individual bien documentados para crear un cambio tangible, y luego utiliza la acción popular para hacerlo realidad.