After a recent Uinta County Commission budget meeting, Lincoln County Commissioner Kent Connelly spoke to the Gazette about the ambitious development plans that mark a transformative moment for the region. During a discussion on local energy advancements, Connelly said approximately $22 billion has been invested by five major companies in the area.

A highlight of this investment is TerraPower’s cutting-edge nuclear plant in Kemmerer.

“It’s not your grandfather’s nuclear plant; it doesn’t take water to cool it,” Connelly said.

Emphasizing technological advancements — such as the reactor’s smaller size and water-free cooling system — that define the new facility, Connelly was quick to address the public’s apprehension about nuclear energy, urging residents to familiarize themselves with the benefits of the new technology.

Connelly, who has served as county commissioner for two decades, compared the evolution of energy technology to the advancements in consumer electronics.

“Just as cellphones have decreased in size and increased in capability, so, too, will the new TerraPower nuclear plant,” he said.

Despite his enthusiasm for the new nuclear plant, Connelly remains firm in his view that green energy will not replace fossil fuels in the near future.

“We supply all the natural gas for the entire western United States,” he said, emphasizing Lincoln County’s crucial role in the national energy sector.

Connelly pointed out that the substantial infrastructure supporting coal-fired power plants, natural gas pipelines, and trona production takes years to develop. He noted that establishing the new nuclear plant will also require time.

While TerraPower plans to train new employees, Connelly cautioned against a hasty transition away from coal energy and highlighted ongoing power outages in the region due to inadequate maintenance of power lines.

Highlighting his commitment to creating job opportunities for the youth of Wyoming, Connelly said, “We need to keep our young people here by providing good jobs and opportunities.”

The Wyoming County Commissioners Association is organizing a tour of the TerraPower site in Kemmerer and the Spire storage facility site near the Opal hub. This initiative aims to provide government staffers with a firsthand look at the transformative projects underway.

During a July 16 meeting, the county commission set the annual budget, which will support ongoing and future developments. Connelly said the significant impact of these projects extends beyond Lincoln County to the wider southwest Wyoming region.

For instance, Connelly said, approximately 300 Exxon workers commute from Evanston, and TerraPower employees are also spread across the area, contributing to a substantial workforce movement in the southwest.

“The impact with industry will affect every county in the southwest region,” Connelly concluded, emphasizing the broad economic influence of these developments.

As Lincoln County embarks on this era of transformation, Connelly said he is confident it will play a crucial role in shaping the region’s energy future and economic growth.