There is a nuclear project coming to Kansas, perhaps as soon as next year — but it’s not attached to the local headlines developing the last few months.
Groundbreaking is coming next week as Deep Fission, a California-based nuclear energy company, is going underground as part of a new facility near Parsons in southeast Kansas. The Deep Fission project is part of the company’s involvement in the US Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program designed to speed up “advanced nuclear technologies.” Deep Fission says the pressurized water reactors, placed a mile underground as part of a 14,000-acre complex, could be ready for energy production as soon as Independence Day.
Emporia, Lyon County and Coffey County leaders say they were not approached by Deep Fission officials about possible sites. Evergy spokesperson Gina Penzig says Evergy applauds Deep Fission’s interest in a Kansas project. Evergy is not currently involved but it serves the Great Plains Industrial Park site and is in Evergy’s coverage area. Penzig says Evergy is looking forward to project details as Deep Fission continues its work.
This comes as Evergy and TerraPower continue exploratory work for the site of a Natrium reactor after a partnership also involving the Kansas Department of Commerce was announced in late September. TerraPower is looking for a place to build a 500-megawatt-capacity, sodium-cooled fast reactor. With construction outside Evergy’s longstanding reactor at Wolf Creek a possibility, whether immediately nearby or in a neighboring county, Emporia, Lyon County, the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas and Coffey County have all signed letters of support for the project.
