Following positive geologic findings, Blue Castle Holdings announced that its Green River, Utah, site is making progress toward an application to build the first nuclear plant in the state.
In the last six months, preparations for an early site permit application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission included research into the site’s weather, hydrology, ecology and geotechnical core boring samples. “The data obtained provides important measurements that support the original site suitability for deploying a nuclear power station near Green River,” Blue Castle CEO Tom Retson said in a release Friday.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported the core samples indicate a uniform layer of shale lies beneath the site, which would simplify foundation design. If progress continues as expected, the company will apply for the early site permit in 2013, with plant licensing activities anticipated to take five years. Blue Castle’s plans call for two reactors of unannounced design about 180 miles southeast of Salt Lake City that would use water from the Green River for cooling. Construction would employ an estimated 4,000 workers, with 1,000 long-term jobs created after completion.