The Utah Model: A Blueprint for Creating American Energy Dominance Through Nuclear Energy

The United States confronts dual challenges: rising energy demand from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and the need for reliable, carbon free baseload power to create American energy dominance.

To ensure that AI innovation advances are based in America, not in China, the United States needs to ensure continued, durable power growth. To meet this demand, states are becoming the primary incubators for pathways to energy dominance.

Utah has emerged as a national leader in this effort, methodically constructing a comprehensive framework to foster the development of advanced nuclear energy and small module reactors. By prioritizing strategic planning, targeted investment, and public-private collaboration, Utah is creating a powerful, replicable blueprint for securing American energy dominance and economic prosperity.

Building a Durable Institutional and Financial Foundation For Nuclear Energy Dominance

The cornerstone of Utah’s strategy is the recently enacted H.B. 249, the Nuclear Power Amendments (2025). This landmark legislation moves beyond rhetoric to create the essential institutional and financial architecture for energy dominance.

Strategic Coordination

The bill establishes the Nuclear Energy Consortium and the State Energy Council, bringing together key stakeholders to ensure a unified and coherent development strategy.

Targeted Investment

It creates a clear process for designating energy development zones and establishes two dedicated investment funds, the Energy Development Investment Fund and the Electrical Energy Development Investment Fund, to derisk and incentivize projects, including advanced nuclear.

Fostering Innovation

The legislation expands the mandate of the San Rafael Energy Lab Board to formally include advanced nuclear research, ensuring Utah remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

Finance Nuclear Energy Dominance

This foundational law is the culmination of a strategic effort to create a welcoming policy environment for nuclear investment.

Technology-Neutral Incentives

With H.B. 124 (2024), Utah added nuclear power to its high cost infrastructure tax incentive, leveling the playing field and signaling to the market that all forms of clean, reliable power are welcome.

Integrating Nuclear into State Policy

Lawmakers have taken crucial steps to ensure nuclear energy is central to the state’s planning. H.B. 241 (2024) rightly rebrands “renewable” energy as “clean” energy in state code to include nuclear energy as a clean energy source, while H.B. 48 (2024) explicitly incorporates nuclear power into Utah’s strategic energy plan. This is further supported by the state energy office’s Strategic Nuclear Energy Pathway reports, which are proactively addressing key deployment issues like siting and fuel management.

Forging Partnerships to Accelerate Deployment of Nuclear Energy

Recognizing that energy leadership requires collaboration, Utah is actively building powerful alliances at the local, regional, and national levels.

Ambitious Energy Goals

Operation Gigawatt, a statewide initiative launched in October 2024, sets a clear objective of doubling Utah’s power production within a decade, with nuclear and geothermal energy as central pillars of the strategy.

Industry Collaboration

A landmark MOU with TerraPower and Flagship Companies (Aug. 2025) is translating policy into practice. This partnership is already working to identify and assess potential sites for an advanced reactor, with preliminary recommendations expected by the end of 2025.

Multi-State Leadership

Utah has joined the Utah–Idaho–Wyoming MOU (Apr. 2025) to align regional energy policy and the NASEO Advanced Nuclear First Movers Initiative (Feb. 2025). These coalitions allow states to pool resources, share risks, and create the market scale necessary to drive down costs for new nuclear projects.

Future Outlook: Cementing a Commitment to Nuclear Energy Dominance

Utah’s legislature is already signaling its next move: the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee has approved a draft resolution declaring state support for the advanced nuclear manufacturing industry. This resolution endorses spent fuel recycling, welcomes innovative nuclear companies, and commits the state to partnering with industry to solve challenges related to safety, transportation, and waste management.

This comprehensive approach demonstrates a clear understanding of what is required to build an all-of-the-above energy economy and American energy dominance. Utah is providing the nation with a model for how to move beyond partisan divides and build American nuclear energy dominance.