Utah is positioning itself as a possible future host for an underground nuclear reactor developed by California-based energy company Deep Fission. In September, the company revealed that Utah, Texas, and Kansas were selected as the first three states for testing its small modular pressurized water reactors (SMRs).
Deep Fission confirmed it has already signed letters of intent with partners in each of these states to move forward with joint development projects, signaling early-stage collaboration and planning.
Company Vision: Safer, Carbon-Free Baseload Power
According to Liz Muller, co-founder and CEO of Deep Fission, these partnerships mark a major step toward reshaping the future of nuclear energy in the United States.
The company says its mission is to meet the growing demand for reliable, carbon-free baseload power, which is becoming increasingly critical as electricity consumption rises nationwide.
Reactor Design: One Mile Underground
Deep Fission’s reactor design is distinctive. Each unit is planned to be installed one mile below ground inside a borehole, using surrounding rock as natural shielding and passive containment.
The company says this underground placement offers several advantages:
- Enhanced safety through geological containment
- Reduced surface footprint, limiting land use
- Lower operational and construction costs
These design features aim to make nuclear power both safer and more affordable compared to traditional reactors.
Kansas Site Breaks Ground First
While Utah’s reactor location has not yet been disclosed, Deep Fission recently broke ground on its first site at the Great Plains Industrial Park in Parsons, Kansas, according to KCUR reporting.
A spokesperson for the company told KSL.com that specific details about the Utah site cannot yet be shared, leaving its exact location unknown for now.
Utah’s Growing Commitment to Nuclear Energy
Utah lawmakers have shown strong interest in expanding nuclear energy production, viewing it as essential to meeting future electricity demands. In November, Governor Spencer Cox announced a partnership with two out-of-state firms to develop a full civil nuclear energy ecosystem in Brigham City, spanning everything from development to deployment.
This push aligns with the state’s Operation Gigawatt initiative, which focuses on boosting Utah’s overall energy capacity. Nuclear energy is a central component of this strategy.
As Utah Senate President Stuart Adams emphasized during the November announcement, energy demand is rising at every level—from the state to the global economy.
Nuclear Power and the Rise of Data Centers
One major driver behind Utah’s nuclear interest is the explosive growth of data centers, particularly those supporting artificial intelligence (AI). Millard County alone is slated to host two massive AI-ready data centers, including a planned 20-million-square-foot campus expected to be the largest in the world.
Deep Fission has identified data centers as a key customer base. Federal filings show the company aims to secure an early leadership position in the data center power market.
The company says it can deliver power installations of 1.5 gigawatts or more, making its reactors suitable for hyperscale data centers, energy-intensive manufacturing, and regions facing power constraints.
Federal Support and Timeline
Deep Fission is participating in a Trump administration-led pilot program intended to accelerate nuclear reactor development and deployment. Pending approval from the U.S. Department of Energy, the company plans to complete construction of its first reactor in Kansas and begin generating power by July 4, 2026.
What This Means for Utah’s Energy Future
Although many details about Deep Fission’s Utah project remain under wraps, the broader picture is clear: Utah’s nuclear ambitions are gaining momentum. With strong political backing, rising electricity demand, and growing interest from data-driven industries, the state appears well-positioned to play a role in the next generation of nuclear energy.
