by Scott Cuthbertson
Aquiet but consequential shift is unfolding across the Intermountain West. Utah, Idaho and Wyoming are betting that nuclear energy will define the next era of industrial competitiveness.
With global manufacturing momentum complicated by tariff volatility and uncertain timelines, many companies are reevaluating expansion plans. Yet even as reshoring slows, power-intensive infrastructure — from AI data centers and electrification to advanced fabs — is outpacing available energy supplies across much of the U.S.
Recognizing this inflection point, Utah has launched “Operation Gigawatt,” an initiative to double electricity generation within the decade with nuclear energy at the core of its strategy. At the state’s recent “Built Here” Nuclear Summit, Utah led the formation of a compact with Idaho and Wyoming to accelerate nuclear development through streamlined regulation and coordinated infrastructure investment.
This approach is already in motion. Through a landmark agreement signed at the summit, global nuclear energy leaders Hi Tech Solutions and Holtec International selected Utah for their Western U.S. operations. Their investment includes a $35 million advanced energy campus, a new training pipeline for high-tech energy careers, and long-term plans to manufacture small modular reactors (SMRs) and nuclear components in the state. Holtec is finalizing a plan for up to 4 gigawatts of SMR-300s deployed in the 2030s, “primarily focused in Utah and Wyoming and supported by the ongoing testing at the Idaho National Labs.”
For national site selectors and corporate decision-makers, the signal is clear: Utah is de-risking energy as a constraint to growth.
Three differentiators define Utah’s approach:
- Energy Certainty: With a robust and diversified portfolio of natural gas, coal, solar, geothermal and now nuclear Utah is building near-term stability and long-term scalability.
- Regional Coordination: The tri-state partnership enables integrated planning across borders, unlocking advantages for companies requiring multistate supply chains, labor markets and grid access.
- Workforce Alignment: From high schools to technical colleges, new training pathways are launching now to meet tomorrow’s demand.
The Intermountain West is no longer a quiet corner of the economy. It’s building what’s next — and nuclear is leading the charge.
Scott Cuthbertson is CEO of Alpen Associates, a boutique economic development consultancy based in Salt Lake City.