The Issue - The Unanswered Questions Surrounding Nuclear
If you’ve listened to the news lately, you may have heard a lot about nuclear power. Nuclear energy is being touted as a “carbon-free,” “clean” power source, and many Utah lawmakers are going all in on it. Right now, state leaders are pushing hard to make Utah “the nation’s nuclear hub”, and they’re doing it without truly listening to the people most at risk.
Here at HEAL Utah, we are deeply concerned that the current rush toward nuclear power puts our energy future at risk. HEAL Utah fully acknowledges the existential threat of climate change and the urgency of addressing it. However, nuclear energy is not the answer, especially considering the time it takes to bring new plants online and the long-term financial, environmental, and safety costs it imposes.
Lawmakers in Utah are aggressively advancing policies and actions to expand nuclear energy, from fast-tracking permitting to cutting safety oversight for experimental micro-reactor projects. They’ve introduced bills that open the door to more nuclear waste in Utah and could even reclassify radioactive materials to reduce regulation, and private corporations are taking in subsidies paid for by your state taxes. This is all in the name of nuclear energy and without ensuring that impacted communities have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their health, safety, and future.
The true cost of nuclear energy keeps escalating and projects keep getting delayed, and we have seen that over and over again. Taxpayer dollars will be funneled into projects that may never serve the public, while communities bear the hidden costs of uranium extraction and long-term spent fuel storage. This isn’t sustainable or equitable energy policy, it’s a public subsidy for private gain industry.
Before supporting nuclear energy plans funded by taxpayer dollars, we must ask: Who truly benefits with nuclear energy? Who profits? So far, it’s private companies using subsidies to lay groundwork for reactors that won’t operate for at least a decade if at all. Additionally: Who pays for the infrastructure? And who’s left to clean up the spent fuel and mining sites? That’s where the public will come in, bearing the burden of harm.
So, What's the Problem?
Nuclear energy isn’t the solution it’s being sold as. HEAL has serious concerns:
- It’s expensive and slow — The new types of experimental energy haven’t even been built yet and could take decades to plan, approve, build, start producing energy, and divert resources from faster, safer renewables.
- It’s risky and toxic — From uranium mining to radioactive waste, nuclear energy puts human health and the environment in danger, especially when the spent fuel will remain on site near communities and these new types of reactors haven’t been tested at a commercial level.
- It’s benefiting a few at the cost of many — Taxpayer dollars are being spent to “pave the way” for an industry that is at least a decade out from providing energy.
- It lacks transparency — Most importantly, decisions are being made behind closed doors without data-driven analysis or real public engagement.
Instead of rushing into a nuclear future, Utah must slow down and listen, especially to the communities most impacted by these decisions and those who will be paying and waiting for the energy. True climate solutions are ones that uplift and protect people, not just industries.
The Ask: Your Voice Matters
As a resident of Utah, you deserve a say in how we power our future. We urge lawmakers to center community voices, especially those most at risk of toxic exposure, in all energy decisions. Let’s choose clean, proven solutions that create good jobs, lower bills, and protect our health and land for generations.
Use this form to contact your Governor today and demand:
- No nuclear energy development without full community involvement and public transparency.
- A halt to fast-tracking experimental nuclear projects and deregulating nuclear waste.
- Real investment in renewable energy solutions that are safe, affordable, and equitable.
Utah deserves better than a risky nuclear gamble. Let’s build a clean energy future that works for everyone, not just a few industries.
- Spread the Word: Share this alert with friends, family, and your network. The more people are aware of these threats, the stronger our collective voice.
- Stay Informed: Follow HEAL Utah for updates and further actions you can take to protect our environment and community.
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