Inside Voices: What Utahns are saying about nuclear power

Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.

The federal government’s strict regulations for nuclear facilities put Utahns’ “health and prosperity” at risk, according to a new federal lawsuit. Anastasia Hufham reports that Utah joins Texas and Last Energy Inc., a start-up that makes nuclear microreactors, in a lawsuit against the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission filed in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas. The group argues the agency’s rules for small nuclear reactors “hinder the development of safe and reliable nuclear power,” according to a Dec. 30 filing.

While state leaders suggest Utah might be the “one of the nuclear headquarters for the world,” you shared your perspectives on a recent Tribune Instagram post.

Here’s what you had to say:

• “Nuclear power is safe and effective… *when regulated.* As much as I’d like to see the shift from fossil fuels to nuclear power, it needs to be safe, regulated and done right.”

• “Let’s go! Nuclear ☢️ power is the future.”

• “They are building a small nuclear reactor in Kemmerer, WY. Let’s see how that goes before we let Utah legislators fall for another scam.”

• “It’s the way forward, coal is ruining the state.”

• “I’m all for nuclear energy… but does this mean we’re gonna be the guinea pigs?”

• “I’m super pro nuclear power and think we should have more of it, and I’m open to the idea that regulations for power plants made decades ago with older technology might be outdated. I get that, and I hear it. But I also don’t want people like Cox or the incoming administration rewriting legislation and regulations developed long ago in good faith because I don’t think Cox and the Trump Administration will act in as good of faith.”

Give us a follow on Instagram to join the conversation, and let me know: What are your hopes — or concerns — for nuclear power in Utah?

Utah Voices

The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.

U.S. Cabinet picks

• “It’s the U.S. Senate’s job to ensure candidates for the U.S. Cabinet are the most professionally qualified and will inspire the members of their organizations with their leadership and integrity. The nomination of Pete Hegseth to serve as the Secretary of Defense meets neither of these thresholds and raises serious questions about his judgment and vulnerability to our nation’s adversaries,” writes Meredith Reed, an Air Force veteran and the Post Commander of American Legion Post 14 in Park City. Read more.

Women’s choice

• “Yes, the choices we make do lead to different outcomes, but choices about fields of study, pay and healthcare are not made in a vacuum for any of us. And when our culture signals to women and girls that ambition, assertiveness and self-care are selfish, these messages are internalized and options are narrowed. As Utahns, we need to consider the deep cultural messages that impact women (and men) for good and bad,” writes Susan R. Madsen, executive director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project. Read more.

Public lands

• “To me, public lands are personal. When I moved to southeast Utah in 2019 to be a reporter, I was floored by the concept of public land. I grew up in Texas. My understanding of open land was that someone wealthy owned it — and they could shoot you for trespassing. I was shocked to learn you could drive out of town and camp just about anywhere in southern Utah. What a luxury. To sleep outside in Texas, you need access to a ranch or a reservation at a private or state-owned campground,” writes Kate Groetzinger, the communications manager at the Center for Western Priorities. Read more.

Public safety in SLC

• “The plan is not perfect, nor is it completely exhaustive of opportunities for further improvement. But the cost of inaction far exceeds the challenges of action. The future of our city depends on our collective ability to act boldly and decisively, with the conviction that every person we serve — whether housed or unhoused — is worth the effort,” writes Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. Read more.

Public schools

• “I believe in accountability and transparency in government, and I thought our elected officials did too. I urge you to write to your representatives expressing your disapproval of such measures to fund — without transparency and accountability — programs that do not support our democracy. The Utah Fits All Scholarship undermines democracy, and supporting such measures is a disservice to the public. I’m upset as a taxpayer and as an education advocate,” writes Rhiannon Longstaff. Read more.

Utah air quality

• “How air pollution harms the brain has far reaching, long-term implications for the well-being of society in general. Utah already has multiple unique sources of air pollution and therefore higher risks. This study should prompt even more urgency from our lawmakers to start improving the air we breathe, starting with a serious plan to save Great Salt Lake,” writes author Brian Moench. Read more.

Share Your Perspective

Utah’s general legislative session will begin soon. What do you see as the Legislature’s most important challenge?

From Bagley’s Desk

I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.