Crowd Packs Castle Dale Council Meeting for Nuclear Project Update

Valar Atomics representatives present details on Ward-250 reactor project, addressing community concerns.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:54pm

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The Castle Dale community turned out in large numbers for the town's monthly city council meeting, where representatives from Valar Atomics provided an update on the company's Ward-250 nuclear reactor project located just five miles from Castle Dale. Jess Housekeeper, Valar's Director of Utah Operations, gave an overview of the project, introduced local contractors involved, and addressed public questions about water usage, safety, and the timeline for the reactor's operation.

Why it matters

The Ward-250 project represents a significant energy development for the Emery County region, which has historically relied on coal power and mining. The community's strong turnout and engagement at the council meeting reflects the local interest and concerns around the nuclear facility, as well as the desire to understand how it will impact the area.

The details

Housekeeper detailed Valar's collaboration with the Department of Defense on 'Operation Windlord' to transport the Ward-250 reactor from California to the San Rafael Energy Research Lab in Utah. He also recapped a recent community open house the company hosted to educate the public about the reactor. Addressing concerns, Housekeeper explained that the facility uses helium gas for cooling instead of water, and emphasized the safety differences between nuclear power and nuclear weapons. Housekeeper expressed confidence in the company's progress toward the goal of turning the reactor on by July 4.

  • The Castle Dale city council meeting took place on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
  • Valar Atomics is aiming to have the Ward-250 reactor operational by July 4, 2026.

The players

Jess Housekeeper

The Director of Utah Operations for Valar Atomics, who presented details on the Ward-250 project to the Castle Dale community. Housekeeper is originally from Ferron, Utah and has experience in the energy industry, including a stint with the Naval Nuclear Laboratory and as a Senior Engineer Project Manager for Pacificorp.

Valar Atomics

An energy company developing the Ward-250 nuclear reactor project located just five miles from Castle Dale, Utah.

Danny Van Wagoner

The Mayor of Castle Dale, who expressed appreciation for Valar Atomics' presentation and engagement with the community.

Nielsen Construction

A local contractor providing concrete for the Valar Atomics facility.

TSJ Construction

A local contractor performing dirt work for the Valar Atomics facility.

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What they’re saying

“They're very competitive in their pricing. We had a bid out for the electrical, and we got one that's local right down to the truck ... We want to support the local community in that way.”

— Jess Housekeeper, Director of Utah Operations, Valar Atomics

“Most of the people here that I'm looking at have at some point worked. The coal power plants and coal mines, or the supporting system of those. I think it is quite a poetic gathering of people, technologies, and industries. To go from coal, to nuclear to whatever the energy future is and keep that energy industry here.”

— Jess Housekeeper, Director of Utah Operations, Valar Atomics

“It's exciting, I've been out there, and it's still exciting to listen to these videos. Thank you and your team very much.”

— Danny Van Wagoner, Mayor of Castle Dale

What’s next

Valar Atomics is aiming to have the Ward-250 reactor operational by July 4, 2026, though the company acknowledges there are many 'races' they need to win to meet that timeline.

The takeaway

The Ward-250 nuclear reactor project represents a significant energy transition for the Emery County region, moving from a historical reliance on coal to embracing nuclear power. The strong community turnout and engagement at the Castle Dale council meeting demonstrates the local interest and concerns around this project, which Valar Atomics is working to address through transparency and collaboration with the community.