TerraPower and Evergy are still months away from deciding whether to put a new nuclear reactor with new technology in Kansas — or a location near Emporia, for that matter — but if a Natrium reactor is sited nearby, Flint Hills Technical College is poised to help train the workforce.
Flint Hills Technical College has had a power plant technology program for years, and instructors Pat Wagner and Alex Partridge discussed different elements of the program on KVOE’s monthly Tech Talk program this week. Both were Wolf Creek employees for 25 years or longer before joining the program. Wagner says students are fully prepared to jump into Wolf Creek or other power plant settings as they complete the program.
Partridge says new technology, such as Natrium would offer, doesn’t necessarily mean new physics is needed for educating students.
TerraPower and Evergy signed a memorandum of understanding that also included the Kansas Department of Commerce a few weeks ago. The city of Emporia, Lyon County and Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas have approved letters of support for bring the Natrium project to the county, as has Coffey County — which could have Natrium as complementary power to the longstanding Wolf Creek reactor outside Burlington. Other Kansas locations are also working to express interest in the project.
A decision on a site is not expected until some time next year.
