A startup with a founder committed to revitalizing the nuclear industry is seeking permission to construct hundreds of small reactors on federal land in Utah to support a massive data center complex. According to documents reviewed by NPR, Valar Atomics has submitted a proposal for “Project Beehive” on more than 9,000 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management near Price.
The facility would house approximately 456 microreactors, alongside infrastructure for nuclear fuel production and waste storage. Together, the reactors are projected to generate roughly 9.6 gigawatts of electricity for the data centers, plus additional thermal energy for industrial use. For context, Utah’s average electricity production stands at about 4 gigawatts, with summer peaks reaching approximately 10 gigawatts.
Nonnuclear construction for the project is slated to begin by the end of this year, with the first reactors expected to become operational in 2028. Valar has also requested around 650 acres of state land for the initiative, according to state records. While The Salt Lake Tribune reported on the state land usage last week, the significantly larger federal land proposal was first brought to light by NPR.
The plan has drawn criticism from local activists who are already grappling with numerous data center proposals across the state. Neal Clark, wildlands director at the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, expressed concern that the Trump administration, supported by state officials, is advancing the project on substantial tracts of public land.
Lexi Tuddenham, executive director of the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah, noted that opposition to the project crosses political lines. She emphasized that her organization’s immediate priority is raising public awareness about the implications of the development.
In a statement, the Bureau of Land Management’s Utah office confirmed receipt of the application and stated that it is currently reviewing it for completeness. The agency added that it will ensure meaningful public input opportunities as the project proceeds through the National Environmental Policy Act process.
Valar Atomics did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the latest revelations. However, in a July interview with NPR, CEO Isaiah Taylor asserted that the company is committed to safety and community engagement, stating they are handling the project responsibly and accountably.
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