CASPER — Natrona County commissioners are supporting RadiantNuclear’s application for $25 million in state money to build a facility near Bar Nunn. That’s despite impassioned opposition from area residents to the company’s plan to store spent nuclear fuel there.
State Rep. Bill Allemand, who represents Bar Nunn, delivered a blistering critique of the project, telling commissioners before they gave their support Tuesday that his constituents overwhelmingly oppose it.
"There's a huge pushback," Allemand said, describing a recent Radiant town hall where of the "25 people there, 23 of these people were extremely against it."
He said another town hall drew 150 people and "140 were against it."
Allemand argued there is "no benefit for the state of Wyoming, for Natrona County or for Bar Nunn" because initial sales would go to the U.S. Department of Defense, which doesn't pay sales tax, and manufacturing taxes are exempt until 2042.
"It takes 72 years with no interest to pay that $25 million back," Allemand said, challenging Radiant's job projections.
He estimated the company would employ closer to 100 people rather than the promised 250, making the cost “$250,000 per job.”
Most critically, Allemand said Radiant's business model of storing spent nuclear fuel from other locations violates Wyoming law.
"After five years, about 50% of this fuel is spent," he explained. "It comes back to Bar Nunn, the old fuel is taken out and stored. The people of Bar Nunn do not want this in their backyard."
Allemand emphasized that if the project was proposed at a location 30 miles or more away, then Bar Nunn might not have a problem with it.
But as proposed, it’s a turn off for many, said Allemand, who called the spent fuel “the deadliest of the deadly.”
“The people of Bar Nunn are at this point mobilizing.” he added. “And there is going to be a very big pushback. You need to stop this before it ever gets over your head.”
No Waste
Bar Nunn residents also told commissioners basically the same, with several expressing frustration that the commissioners were still learning new details about the project during Tuesday’s meeting.
"I am appalled that you guys don't even know what Radiant's plans are, but yet you're getting ready to approve a letter of support," said Venus Childress, who noted that Radiant has said it would proceed "regardless of whether or not this grant is awarded."
Childress questioned why taxpayers should fund Radiant's office building and emphasized local opposition.
"As far as Bar Nunn, I'm telling you we're not for it,” Childress said. “Yeah, there are a few that are OK with it. The vast majority are not. I do not want spent nuclear fuel in my backyard. "
Kayla Wolosin, who said she was representing multiple Bar Nunn families, said that “the one concern that we all do share is the storage" and noted that "something new comes up that's a new concern" at each public meeting.
Mitchell Groskopf, who lives less than 1,000 yards from the proposed site, said "every single one" of his neighbors opposes the project due to concerns about property values and safety.
“I’m just asking that you guys slow down on this. I feel like it’s moving way too fast,” said Groskopf.
“Do you guys understand how toxic this stuff is?” asked Michael Newquest from Bar Nunn, whose impassioned testimony included a shout out to Wyoming being “the freest state” and pleaded with the commission to “stop this at all cost. This is no joke. Am I a scientist? No. I’ve worked around it. What they are telling us is not true. I urge you to look … please.”
Leanne Newquest, who has attended “absolutely every single Radiant discussion,” said the company often defers questions to federal regulators without providing direct answers and noted they "still don't even have a contractor for their storage casks."
“Bar Nunn residents still have a lot of questions. We still have a lot of concerns,” said Newquest. “That seems to be the business model for Radiant — we’ll figure it out as we go.
“I would ask that no letters of support are given in any fashion. I don’t want to be responsible for putting this on future generations. I do not want to do this to other people.”
Commissioners Unconvinced
Despite the opposition, commissioners said they support moving the process forward while continuing to gather information.
Commissioner Peter Nicolaysen defended the project's potential benefits, saying he sees "tremendous benefit potentially" including jobs and the facility acting "as a catalyst for other businesses.”
"The information I have up to this point is that this is a legitimate, viable project that can be beneficial to our community for generations," Nicolaysen added, while acknowledging concerns about misinformation on both sides.
Commissioner Jim Milne offered support to Nicolaysen’s point of view, adding that, “Both sides need to educate themselves, so listen, have an open mind.”
"Will I just automatically rubber stamp 'yeah hey Radiant you're good to go?' Absolutely not. There's a process, we'll follow it,” said Milne.
Commissioner Casey Coates focused on the benefits of bringing manufacturing to Bar Nunn and the storage issue.
“I’ve heard from several residents of Bar Nunn, and they’re generally supportive of the manufacturing,” he said.
As for storage, said Coates, "Radiant has to answer to that" and needs "a real solution not just something that is lip service."
Grant Details
Justin Farley, with the economic development group Advance Casper, clarified that the $25 million wouldn't go directly to Radiant, but would fund infrastructure like roads, security, parking and a publicly owned office building that Radiant would lease for an estimated $1 million annually.
The funding comes from the Wyoming Business Council in phases tied to project milestones, including approval from Idaho National Labs for Radiant's reactor prototype.
Nicolaysen said the funds "have already been allocated" by the Legislature and "will go somewhere," arguing it's better spent locally than elsewhere.
He also voiced support for the $25 million going “into the dirt” to create needed infrastructure on the 714-acre site north of Bar Nunn so the location attracts some kind of manufacturing — whether it’s Radiant or some other future enterprise.
The project still faces significant hurdles, including potential changes to state law regarding nuclear waste storage.
Allemand said he plans to work against such changes and potentially seek to defund the Wyoming Business Council entirely.
The commission approved the resolution with a modification specifying the grant amount as "not to exceed $25 million."
Commissioners said they would continue evaluating the project as more information becomes available and would scrutinize any future zoning or permit applications.
Broader Context
The Tuesday vote came just days after a weekend Radiant town hall in Bar Nunn that highlighted the community divisions over the project.
The company is planning a comprehensive opinion poll to gauge local support, said Ray Wert, Radiant vice president of communications.
The poll will provide "a more scientific understanding of exactly where people's sentiment is, than putting our finger up in the air and making a proclamation," Wert said.
Bar Nunn Mayor Peter Boyer believes the project would benefit the community despite acknowledging opposition exists.
"I think it would be a good thing for the town. I do," Boyer said. "There are some who are for, there are some who are against, and some, they don't even know. It's kind of a lot of different camps here."
The public will have another opportunity to voice opinions at theLegislature’s next Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee hearing set for July 29-30 in Casper.
David Madison can be reached at david@cowboystatedaily.com.
