Valar Atomics opened its Orangeville, Utah facility to the public on Sept. 10, giving Carbon and Emery county residents a tour of the Ward 250 test reactor at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab. Attendees saw the reactor technology, manufacturing areas, and safety measures in small groups. Company leaders said the event was about transparency and thanking the community for its support. CEO Isaiah Taylor said Valar chose Utah over 22 other states and plans to build hundreds of reactors in the region, with the goal of attracting manufacturing and affordable energy. Senator David Hinkins pointed to the potential tax base benefit, and Valar said it has hired dozens of local workers with more hiring planned. The event is an early look at a nuclear project that could shape the local economy and low-carbon power generation.
