On Oct. 8, Gov. Spencer Cox announced plans to convert coal power plants to nuclear plants as part of Operation Gigawatt, a commitment to double the state’s energy production in the next decade. I applaud the shift away from coal, due to the environmental and health impacts of the industry, including greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. However, nuclear power is not the solution to Utah’s energy needs.
The nuclear supply chain in Utah is harmful to Indigenous communities. It relies on the mistreatment of Indigenous communities and their land in the mining and processing of uranium.
In October, I traveled to White Mesa, near Blanding, for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s annual Spiritual Walk. I learned how the tribe is impacted by the nearby uranium mill owned and operated by Energy Fuels in White Mesa, which processes uranium for nuclear energy and weaponry, and stores radioactive waste. The mill is built on sacred land of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and has destroyed grave sites and kivas. A kiva is a circular room used for ceremonies and worship. The mill, which is only five miles from the White Mesa community, exposes Tribal members to unwanted contamination, and raises concerns about health effects.
There are other energy options the state of Utah can turn to, like wind, solar, geothermal, and battery storage that are more cost effective with limited exposures to tribal communities. Although both wind and solar run into storage issues, advancements in batteries have made them feasible for meeting large-scale energy needs. Other states, such as Minnesota, Illinois, Louisiana, and Hawaii have turned coal plants into wind and solar plants.
I urge Gov. Cox and other Utah state leaders to convert coal plants to wind or solar plants instead of nuclear power plants.
Abbie Nistler, Salt Lake City