Brigham City moves ahead with nuclear training campus tied to federal energy plan
Utah State University and Hi Tech Solutions signed an MOU to develop a nuclear training and research campus in Brigham City, part of the DOE’s nuclear initiative.
A memorandum of understanding was reached between Utah State University and Washington-based Hi Tech Solutions to plan the Center for Energy Research and Technology near USU’s Brigham City campus. The university will contribute land, research capabilities and workforce training, while Hi Tech Solutions will market services and facility access to paying customers. The first phase envisions a 20,000-square-foot, $100 million building, with construction targeted for 2028 and about 20 full-time staff by 2029.
The campus supports the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus competition, where Utah is among five finalists, a fact praised by Senator John Curtis. The initiative aims to bolster local jobs, national energy resilience and provide certifications for nuclear operations. Critics, including three Utah environmental and health groups, have filed a complaint alleging the state’s nuclear advertising is deceptive. The development also ties into broader plans to produce small modular reactors across the state by the mid-2030s.
Why it matters
The campus could shape Utah’s role in the U.S. push for nuclear energy and create skilled jobs, while sparking debate over nuclear safety messaging.
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