Valar Atomics, a startup whose founder has pledged to “make nuclear great again” is advancing a proposal called Project Beehive. The plan would reserve more than 9,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management property near Price, Utah, for a multifaceted complex that includes data centers, a nuclear-fuel production plant, and a waste-storage hub. At the heart of the proposal are 456 small modular reactors (SMRs), each rated at 25 MW electric, together capable of generating roughly 9.6 gigawatts of power—more than twice the average electricity output of the entire state.
Scale, timeline and technical details
The projected output would dwarf Utah’s current average generation of about 4 GW, though the state can peak at roughly 10 GW during summer heat waves. Valar intends to begin non-nuclear construction by the end of 2026, with the first reactors slated for commissioning in 2028. If the phased rollout proceeds as outlined, the full suite of reactors could be operational by 2032. The reactors rely on high-temperature gas-reactor technology, employing TRISO fuel graphite moderation and helium cooling to achieve both safety and efficiency.
Regulatory journey and public response
The Utah office of the Bureau of Land Management confirmed receipt of Valar’s application and said it is reviewing the filing for completeness. The proposal will undergo a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, during which the agency has pledged to provide meaningful public participation opportunities. Valar has echoed that commitment, stating that no construction will start without the necessary permits and that the public-engagement process will guide internal milestones.
Local environmental groups have voiced strong concerns. Neal Clark, wildlands director at the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, warned that the Trump administration’s support, coupled with state backing, is pushing a massive development onto public lands. Lexi Tuddenham, executive director of the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah, emphasized that the controversy transcends partisan lines and that raising public awareness is the immediate priority.
Recent milestones and financing
Valar’s flagship test unit, designated Ward 250, was air-lifted from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah aboard a C-17 on Feb. 15. The reactor achieved criticality in at a desert test site roughly 30 miles from the proposed Beehive location, and in July it powered a single Nvidia microchip using a simple thermoelectric conversion system. CEO Isaiah Taylor highlighted the achievement, declaring Valar the first startup to generate nuclear electricity in that manner.
Financially, Valar has secured a $1 billion Series B round and a $200 million credit facility, though the total construction cost for Project Beehive remains undisclosed. The company was accepted into the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program in August 2025, positioning it to benefit from regulatory reforms championed by the Trump administration that aimed to accelerate SMR development.
