Bar Nunn Residents Weigh In on Proposed Nuclear Microreactor Facility

A mix of curiosity, enthusiasm, and concern filled the Bar Nunn Community Center as residents gathered Tuesday night to learn about Radiant, a California-based company proposing to build a portable nuclear microreactor manufacturing facility in Natrona County, Oil City News reports.

The project, which would span 130 acres and include a 350,000-square-foot campus, could bring up to 230 jobs to the area. Some local officials, including Bar Nunn City Councilman Tim Ficken, see it as an opportunity to diversify the county’s economy, which has long relied on the fossil fuel industry.

Many residents were eager to hear why Radiant chose Natrona County for its facility. Radiant Director of Operations Matt Wilson explained that the company evaluated multiple locations before determining that Natrona County’s skilled workforce—particularly those with experience in energy—made it the ideal choice.

“We had dozens of criteria that we looked at, and the simplest way to put it is you scored the highest,” Wilson told attendees.

Radiant’s facility would build self-contained microreactor units that generate one megawatt of power, enough to supply roughly 1,000 homes. The reactors would be shipped to customers and returned to Bar Nunn for refueling every five years. Spent fuel would be stored in dry cask containers, a common practice in the nuclear industry.

Radiant COO Tori Shivanandan assured residents that the storage process would follow strict safety regulations. When asked how safe it would be, she replied:

“99.99%, because that’s how sure you need to be to receive the permits you need.”

While some, like Natrona County resident Chastidy Cockrum, welcomed the project as an economic boost, others had reservations. Concerns ranged from nuclear waste storage to potential tax burdens on the community.

“No taxpayer dollars go to Radiant, or for cleanup,” Shivanandan clarified. “The investment here is made in utilities for the community.”

Some residents remained skeptical. Michael Newquist, an attendee, said:

“I’m still neutral on it, but if this is as safe as they claim, that’s big. Of course, we’ve heard that before.”

Despite the company’s optimism, legal and regulatory challenges remain. Two bills addressing nuclear fuel storage regulations failed in the Wyoming Legislature this year, raising questions about the state’s readiness for a project of this nature.

Nevertheless, Radiant plans to move forward, aiming to begin construction in late 2026 or early 2027, with operations starting in 2028.