As someone who's lost many loved ones to cancer, the prospect of increased radiation levels in our community due to a nuclear reactor and nuclear waste storage terrifies me. Several studies mark a discernible pattern of cancer risks increasing with exposure to nuclear radiation (National Cancer Institute). Currently, Eagle Mountain, Utah, our home, is facing such a threat with the city considering code changes to allow nuclear reactors right by the big tech data centers in our city limits.

Nuclear reactors, while efficient energy sources, carry numerous potential risks, regardless of size. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, a serious meltdown could release hazardous amounts of radiation, proving harmful to both immediate residents and the environment. Furthermore, the management of nuclear waste continues to present a significant challenge, and would be stored in Eagle Mountain. Contrary to what nuclear proponents say, small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are not safer, and any amount of nuclear waste is still dangerous. SMRs have never been built in America for public use, and are costly, taxpayer-subsidized, and experimental. The federal government has recently loosened regulations for SMRs, making them more dangerous than existing nuclear reactors. Cooling the nuclear waste would use up vast quantities of our already-scarce water supply, and an emergency would require the reactor to use generators, draining our grid.

If there was a fire, earthquake, flood, or terrorist attack, radioactivitiy could leak into our water, air, or ground, causing evacuation of the entire city and leaving our city uninhabitable for decades or longer. A vehicle accident involving transport of radioactive materials could also contaminate our city. Even though deaths might not occur, radiation exposure increases cancer deaths over time. Given these known risks, allowing a nuclear reactor in Eagle Mountain would be a dangerous proposition, putting our community's health at jeopardy.

We urge you to recognize the gravity of this situation - the threat it presents to millions of lives, and how it can potentially increase cancer risks in our community.

Enyo, for whom the city wanted to allow SMRs, said it was for profit, doubtless to sell to tech companies who own data centers in our city. It's not going to go to we, the people. The Idaho National Laboratory said nuclear reactors don't have to be built within a certain distance of a service area, they can be joined to the general grid. (Begins at minute 39:45.) They said data centers want to operate SMRs "behind the meter" and use that energy directly for themselves, without having to "queue" for energy from the general grid.

Likely this "behind the meter" idea for data centers is so they can power their AI. Let's come together and take a stand against the proposed city code changes that would allow the establishment of nuclear reactors in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Please, sign this petition. Tell our mayor, city council, and planning commission to say no to nuclear reactors in or near our city.

Video of Dr. Edwin Lyman, nuclear safety expert, speaking to the city planning commission last week. https://youtu.be/UzLwT04-TE4

Donna Burnham

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