The topic of nuclear energy continues to be a hot-button item in Eagle Mountain.

The city is exploring the idea of integrating small modular reactors, or SMRs, among other forms of advanced power generation facilities within the city.

In January, the Eagle Mountain City Council halted on voting in favor or against a code amendment to the city’s Regional Technology and Industry overlay zone.

The code change, according to city officials, could open the door in facilitating the use of a variety of energy options in the city, including battery energy storage systems, solar energy projects, electrical substations, power lines and small modular reactors.

However, Eagle Mountain city leaders wanted to allow more time to gather information about nuclear technology.

On Monday, the city hosted an energy town hall at Cedar Valley High School, featuring a panel of energy experts with an abundance of experience in the field.

Expertise among the six panelists include coal, renewable and battery storage, biofuels, oil shale, nuclear power, hydrogen and advanced combustion.

Mayor Tom Westmoreland moderated the discussion and presented a slew of questions from community members to the panel.

“We’re not going to solve any problems tonight, but we’re going to begin the discussion,” Westmoreland said during the town hall. “Definitely the place to start is by informing and educating ourselves and learning all that we can about energy so that we can make good decisions going forward.”

City leaders note the exploration of SMRs comes as Eagle Mountain examines sustainable and long-term energy solutions to meet the growing needs of its population and business landscape.

Matthew Memmott, an associate professor in chemical engineering at Brigham Young University, said nuclear technology such as SMRs are making headway but often face opposition from the public due to the perception regarding radiation.

“In reality, the world is awash with radiation, and if we can’t handle even the slightest bit of radiation, we should not be living on the planet,” Memmott said.

Panelists noted the need for a modernized power grid with a capacity to meet the future energy demands that Eagle Mountain anticipates.

With safety being top of mind for many who are skeptical of allowing such technology to enter the area, due to the smaller footprint of modern SMRs, only the boundaries of the nuclear site would be required to evacuate.

“So for large (nuclear) plants, they actually plan the escape for how traffic has to move; that is done out to 10 miles,” said Jess Gehin, associate laboratory director at Idaho National Laboratory. “For modern SMRs, that is reduced down to the site boundary.”

Panelists also discussed regulatory frameworks, economic considerations associated with these energy solutions and potential health risks.

Eagle Mountain officials say nuclear energy, particularly through the deployment of nonwater cooled SMRs, is being considered for its potential to provide a stable and low-carbon power supply.

Currently, the city has not authorized any nuclear energy projects, but they aren’t ruling it out for the future.

As Eagle Mountain continues to weigh the option, leaders encourage citizens to get involved in the decision-making process by attending public meetings and connecting with elected officials.

The City Council’s next meeting will be held Tuesday at Eagle Mountain city hall, located at 1650 Stagecoach Run.

The full video from Monday’s nearly two-hour long town hall can be viewed online at eaglemountain.gov.