Emery County Approves Support for Valar Atomics' Nuclear Reactor

Ward250 reactor arrives in Castle Country as county sees potential in new energy technology

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Emery County Commission has approved a letter of support for Valar Atomics, a nuclear energy company, after the arrival of their Ward250 reactor in the Castle Country region. Valar Atomics representatives expressed excitement about the community support and the potential for their rapid deployable reactor technology to provide power for military, humanitarian, and other operations.

Why it matters

The nuclear energy industry continues to be a point of focus for residents across the Castle Country region. Emery County has long been a provider of baseload electricity, and the commission views Valar Atomics as a way to broaden and expand the county's energy portfolio rather than as a competitor to existing coal and other power sources.

The details

Following the arrival of Valar Atomics' Ward250 reactor, the Emery County Commission approved a letter of support for the company during their February 17th meeting. Max Ukropina from Valar Atomics addressed the commission, expressing the company's excitement about the support it has received in Emery County and the importance of the reactor arriving by air to prove the capability of their rapid deployable technology. The commission recognized Emery County's history of providing baseload electricity and sees Valar Atomics as a way to keep coal going and explore new energy applications.

  • The Ward250 reactor arrived in the Castle Country region on Sunday.
  • The Emery County Commission approved the letter of support during their February 17, 2026 meeting.

The players

Valar Atomics

A nuclear energy company that has brought its Ward250 reactor to the Castle Country region.

Max Ukropina

A representative from Valar Atomics who addressed the Emery County Commission.

Dennis Worwood

An Emery County Commissioner who spoke about the county's history of providing baseload electricity and their view of Valar Atomics as a way to broaden the energy portfolio.

Keven Jensen

An Emery County Commissioner who spoke positively about Valar Atomics' integration into the community and the potential applications of their technology.

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What they’re saying

“We've been here a short time, but we feel really loved and wanted by the community. We've been able to hire a number of folks from here, as well as several contractors, and that is going to continue.”

— Max Ukropina, Representative, Valar Atomics (castlecountryradio.com)

“We're very proud of the role Emery County has had in providing baseload electricity for so many years and recognize the contribution that it has made. We view Valar not as a competitor, but a way to broaden and expand the energy portfolio of Emery County.”

— Dennis Worwood, Emery County Commissioner (castlecountryradio.com)

“There's actual potential of keeping coal going and making them a mission. There are so many theories and applications when this is all said and done. It's astounding.”

— Keven Jensen, Emery County Commissioner (castlecountryradio.com)

What’s next

The Emery County Commission plans to draft a letter of support for Valar Atomics that will be approved by legal counsel before being sent to the company.

The takeaway

Emery County is embracing the arrival of Valar Atomics and its nuclear reactor technology, seeing it as a way to diversify the region's energy portfolio and explore new applications for baseload power generation rather than as a competitor to existing coal and other energy sources.