Nuclear power has local chamber of commerce leadership and elected officials buzzing.
At Hutchinson City Council earlier this month, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debra Teufel told council members that Reno County may be in the running for a new TerraPower nuclear power plant.
The Kansas Department of Commerce is working to bring this Bill Gates-backed company to the Sunflower State. Strong relationships between our local officials and the state business recruitment experts mean our community has at least a shot at the development. There are other worthy locations to consider, but Reno County is centrally located and has a number of other advantages.
Power—electricity specifically—runs much of our economy, particularly in industrial manufacturing jobs. In addition to sufficient water for processing, energy should be a focal point of long-term economic development planning.
We definitely have some questions about a potential TerraPower nuclear power plant. How safe is it? How much water will they need? Do we have the right infrastructure for a nuclear power plant?
But while any new development will raise some concerns, there is good reason to be excited by the possibility that this emerging technology may be coming to Reno County. The 40-year-old Wolf Creek generating station in Burlington has been providing nuclear power in Kansas for years without any safety problems, and its operating license has been extended for another 20 years.
A TerraPower plant would have much more advanced technology, with four decades more research into safe nuclear power. Of note: TerraPower’s unique technology uses sodium instead of water for part of its process—a good fit for the Salt City.
Securing sufficient power can be a big competitive advantage for a community. Commentators on regional economic development often point to the cheap and available power in McPherson as one reason for their industrial successes. This may be our chance to close the gap.
Reno County is fortunate to be the site of a large natural gas power generation plant being planned by Evergy. Adding another significant source of power generation, using a different technology, would make our local economy even more resilient. There is an opportunity for the community to position itself as a powerhouse for future growth.
If we want more jobs, higher wages and an increasing population, we need to be making investments in the future. Local leaders are taking economic development seriously, and there is reason for optimism.
The local chamber and economic development partners have been working to secure land for industrial development. Having shovel-ready sites available for development is a big boost for business recruitment. Chamber leadership has a track record of filling industrial sites, and while large projects take time to secure, they have a huge impact on the local economy.
More research is needed regarding the water requirements of TerraPower, but we note that the City of Hutchinson is making strides in investing in its water infrastructure. Local economic development officials indicate there are sufficient water rights for growth.
Available land, water and power will create a solid foundation on which to build further economic growth. These assets, in combination with strong collaboration between local governments and economic development organizations, are being leveraged in the upcoming County-wide strategic plan.
The first TerraPower project in Kansas may or may not end up in Reno County, but we applaud the efforts of local officials to attract new, innovative businesses to the region. Reno County is open for business and looking to grow.
– The Hutchinson Tribune Editorial Board