Atomic City Embraces Nuclear Legacy Amidst National Debate

Arco, Idaho sits among small towns near the Idaho National Laboratory, known for its long history with nuclear energy. Nearby Atomic City, a small town with a population of 52, maintains a unique atmosphere. In its bar, patrons still smoke indoors, surrounded by dollar bills on the wall and a ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ flag.

The bar, owned by Vickie O’Haro, serves cold beers and shots aptly named atomic bombs. Many customers work at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a pivotal nuclear energy test ground since 1949. While a March Gallup poll indicates most Americans oppose nuclear plants in their area, O’Haro is unfazed. ‘I live 10 miles away, and I’m fine. I’m not glowing in the dark, you know? There’s nothing to be scared of,’ she said.

After decades of stagnation, nuclear power is experiencing renewed interest. New projects were fast-tracked under former President Donald Trump. Today, new small reactors are on the horizon. This summer, three companies at INL and one in Utah activated new reactor types.

O’Haro finds excitement in this development. ‘It’s pretty cool to be happening in my backyard,’ she remarked.

INL stretches across 900 square miles of sagebrush-filled high desert, comparable in size to Rhode Island.

Amid this expanse, Deployable Energy’s test reactor recently achieved a sustained chain reaction, proving its potential for electricity generation. Lance Maul, the company’s COO, called it ‘a real moment in history for the nation.’ These micro reactors aim to power a thousand homes, a sharp contrast to traditional large reactors.

‘It’s something deployable,’ Maul explained. ‘It’s something you can put on the back of a truck.’

Nuclear advocates envision a future where these reactors meet rising energy demands while reducing carbon emissions. Trump’s administration accelerated reactor permitting, raising concerns about regulatory oversight.

Edwin Lyman, Nuclear Power Safety Director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, voiced his concerns. ‘I have no confidence in the Department of Energy and its oversight of this at all,’ he noted, highlighting worries about radiation, security, and environmental impacts.

ProPublica reports indicate staffing cuts and resignations have weakened the federal commission overseeing nuclear development, complicating reactor approval efforts.

‘I don’t think cutting corners when you’re talking about nuclear safety is a good idea,’ Lyman stated.

Back in Atomic City, O’Haro’s confidence remains unshaken. ‘If we weren’t safe, my guys would tell me,’ she said, as her bar filled with music signifies everyday life continuing with its nuclear legacy.

While many Americans remain cautious of nearby nuclear plants, polls show rising support for more emphasis on nuclear energy at a national level.