America's energy future? Gates, Buffett and a Wyoming town go nuclear

In the small town of Kemmerer, Wyoming, workers are building something brand new — a next-generation nuclear power plant. The project is backed by billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. It could reshape the town's future at a time when the coal mines that once powered the local economy are closing down.

Kemmerer has always been a coal town. For generations, families here dug coal out of the ground, and that coal helped power homes and businesses across the region. But burning coal for electricity is becoming less common because it costs more and causes air pollution.

A company called TerraPower is building a nuclear reactor called 'Natrium' about five miles from Kemmerer's downtown. The U.S. government is helping pay for it with $2 billion in taxpayer funding. Gates and Buffett are also major investors in the project.

The Natrium reactor is smaller than most nuclear plants built in the past. Its designers say it can be built faster and more cheaply than older designs. Instead of using high-pressure steam inside the reactor, Natrium uses melted sodium metal to carry heat to a turbine that makes electricity.

The project is bringing about 1,600 construction workers to the remote area. Local businesses like Fossil Fuel Coffee Co. and Scroungy Moose Pizza have seen more customers since building began. Once finished, the plant could provide up to 300 permanent jobs.

Not everyone is happy about the project, though. Some residents worry about nuclear safety and question why billionaires need public money to fund their plans. Charlotte Sherbeyn, 59, said she welcomes the jobs but does not trust the wealthy backers behind the plant.

Some scientists also raise concerns. Edwin Lyman of the Union of Concerned Scientists says wind and solar power are already cheaper and safer than nuclear. He also warns that nuclear plants create radioactive waste that must be stored on-site for many years.

Supporters of nuclear energy say those fears are overstated. They point out that U.S. nuclear plants have operated safely for decades under strict rules. They also say nuclear power creates no greenhouse gas emissions, making it a strong tool against climate change.

Michelle Pollard, 61, sold coal for 35 years and knows the local industry well. She believes the town must accept change to survive. 'You have to change with the times,' she said, 'and I'm glad they picked Kemmerer.'

The coal mines near Kemmerer may close within a decade if they do not find new customers. Mining jobs in the area pay about $40 an hour, nearly twice the county's average wage. Losing those jobs would be a major hardship for many local families.

TerraPower CEO Chris Levesque says this project is just the beginning. He plans to build more than a hundred Natrium reactors around the world if this first one works. 'This really is the beginning of a whole new era of nuclear energy,' he said.

The Trump administration strongly supports the push for nuclear power. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said America's 'nuclear renaissance is underway.' The White House wants dozens of new reactors built to power data centers and factories across the country.

Back in town, Michelle Pollard now runs a soda shop called '3 ZERO 7 Place' in her spare time. She remains hopeful that the nuclear plant will bring lasting good times to Kemmerer. 'Kemmerer is kind of used to boom and bust,' she said. 'You can't have growth without some short-term pain.'