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TerraPower's Wyoming Reactor Faces Safety Concerns Ahead of Vote

1/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, seeks approval to build the Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will vote on the construction permit, expedited under a Trump-era order.
Critics, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, say the design lacks a traditional containment structure and risks rapid power excursions.
Local residents express unease about pace and hazards, fearing Wyoming could be used for nuclear testing without adequate safety measures.

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Story summary

TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, seeks approval to build the Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will vote on the construction permit, expedited under a Trump-era order.
Critics, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, say the design lacks a traditional containment structure and risks rapid power excursions.
Local residents express unease about pace and hazards, fearing Wyoming could be used for nuclear testing without adequate safety measures.