Valar Atomics breaks ground for test reactor at Utah San Rafael Energy Lab

Officials from the Utah Department of Energy Development, the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab, Kiewit Corp. and Valar Atomics turn the first dirt at the site of construction of Valar’s test reactor in Emery County as part of the DOE’s Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program. (Photo courtesy Utah San Rafael Energy Lab)

In what is being characterized as a significant step in Utah’s efforts toward energy security, ground was broken Sept. 11 for the state’s first nuclear test reactor. 

The Utah San Rafael Energy Lab (USREL) and Valar Atomics launched the reactor effort at the USREL site in Orangeville in Emery County. USREL is an initiative of the Utah Office of Energy Development (UOED).

Valar Atomics was one of 11 companies selected in June by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program, following an executive order by Pres. Donald Trump that reformed the process of reactor testing to expedite the time it takes for approval. As part of the program, the DOE will support the projects to construct, operate and achieve criticality of at least three test reactors using the DOE authorization process by July 4, 2026.

In addition to Valar, the selected companies are Aalo Atomics Inc., Antares Nuclear Inc., Atomic Alchemy Inc., Deep Fission Inc., Last Energy Inc., Oklo Inc., Natura Resources LLC, Radiant Industries Inc. and Terrestrial Energy Inc.

“President Trump’s Reactor Pilot Program is a call to action,” said James P. Danly, U.S. deputy secretary of energy at the time of the launch of the program. “These companies aim to all safely achieve criticality by Independence Day, and DOE will do everything we can to support their efforts.”

Each company will be responsible for all costs associated with designing, manufacturing, constructing, operating and decommissioning its test reactors, according to DOE officials.

The USREL site will host Valar’s Ward 250, a next-generation test reactor that integrates three proven technologies: TRISO fuel (uranium kernels encased in ceramic layers for added safety), helium coolant and graphite moderators. Together, these features enable safer operations over past nuclear technologies and offer the ability to operate at higher temperatures than traditional plants, Valar officials said. Small modular reactors (SMRs) like Ward 250 are designed to deliver clean, reliable power wherever it is needed.

Test reactors like Valar’s are a significant addition to the USREL’s research portfolio, which includes a wide range of energy projects, from traditional to emerging technologies, UOED said in a release.

“Utah is proud to partner with Valar,” said Jaron Wallace, director of the USREL. “This research effort has the support of the state of Utah, the Department of Energy and the lab. Valar’s project isn’t just bringing cutting-edge nuclear technologies to the state; their unique focus on concentrated infrastructure means Utah will have the industrial-scale power needed to power our communities and businesses.”

“Valar Atomics is proud to partner with Gov. [Spencer] Cox and the state of Utah on America’s nuclear comeback,” said Isaiah Taylor, Valar Atomics CEO and founder. “President Trump set an ambitious goal — to bring advanced reactors to criticality by July 4, 2026 — and Utah and Valar are answering that call. With today’s groundbreaking, we’re moving from plans to construction to deliver dependable, affordable power for AI, advanced manufacturing and American industry. It’s a decisive step toward the energy abundance Gov. Cox envisions and toward making Utah a leader in nuclear.”

“The test reactor launch, which coincides with the 24th anniversary of 9/11, underscores the need for energy security and independence,” the state release said. “As Utah and the nation face rising demand for electricity, advanced nuclear technologies offer an energy-dense, low-emissions resource with a smaller land footprint than many existing resources. Nuclear power, along with geothermal, natural gas, battery storage and other resources, is central to ‘Operation Gigawatt,’ Utah’s plan to double electrical-generating capacity and create robust, domestically sourced energy ecosystems.”

“Energy security is a priority for Utah and the U.S.,” said Emy Lesofski, director of the Utah Office of Energy Development and energy advisor to Cox. “This groundbreaking marks a historic moment — one where we choose resilience, innovation and global leadership through partnerships like the Valar-USREL collaboration.”

Valar Atomics has chosen the Kiewit Corp., based in Omaha, Nebraska, for engineering and construction; Goree Architects of Houston for architecture and design; and Denver-based Sprung Construction for the building.

The Utah San Rafael Energy Lab was established by the Utah Office of Energy Development as a hub for energy research and innovation. USREL supports Utah’s “any-of-the-above” energy strategy by hosting a wide range of projects.

Valar’s SMR technology is based on a helium-cooled, high-temperature gas reactor, reaching 900 degrees Centigrade — triple that of conventional nuclear reactors. These will be built at a nuclear equivalent of a “gigafactory” (where batteries are built), except Valar calls them “gigasites,” to be deployed at predominantly off-grid projects to power data centers and industrial plants.

Valar has raised $19 million in a seed funding round to develop its first test reactor. The financing was led by Riot Ventures, with AlleyCorp, Initialized Capital, Day One Ventures and Steel Atlas participating. Earlier this year, Valar emerged from a stealth operating mode, a phase of growth where it operated quietly to protect its technology.