Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Brigham City Mayor DJ Bott on Nov. 17 joined state and local leaders to announce a nuclear energy partnership between Hi Tech Solutions and Holtec International that will position Brigham City, Utah, as a hub for Utah’s nuclear energy renaissance.
The news marks a major milestone in Operation Gigawatt, the Governor’s initiative to double Utah’s energy capacity and create domestically sourced energy ecosystems, a news release said.
Brigham City is a member community of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems.
Strategically located in Northern Utah’s defense and aerospace corridor, the proposed Brigham City-based project will boast the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies like Holtec's SMR-300 small modular reactor, create educational and workforce pipelines, and bring a range of manufacturing jobs to rural Utah.
The project would establish the state's first full-scale nuclear energy ecosystem by uniting advanced manufacturing, reactor deployment, and workforce development. The proposed project has received wide support, including from the governor and state legislature.
Cox called the proposed project a defining example of Utah’s “any-of-theabove” energy strategy to cultivate new energy sources to strengthen Utah’s role in America’s energy future.
“Energy security is national security, and Utah is stepping up to lead,” said Cox. “As global competitors like China and Russia race to dominate next-generation energy, Utah is proving that America continues to lead through innovation and strength. This project is about securing our nation’s future and showing the world what American energy leadership looks like.”
"Positioned in Northern Utah’s aerospace and defense corridor, Brigham City is well-suited to help power the next generation of Utah’s energy economy through local leadership and technical expertise," the news release said.
Backed by $750 million in private investment and more than 1,300 projected Utah jobs in Phase 1, "the initiative underscores Utah’s commitment to pairing innovation with responsible growth," the news release said.
The project will undergo full state and federal review—including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversight—in coordination with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and industry bodies to ensure the highest standards of safety, transparency, and public trust.
