Latest news with #UtahNationalGuard
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah embraces the next step in nuclear energy — fuel
The Utah National Guard is poised to ink a deal with a California-based company — confusingly called Utah Energy — to house a nuclear fuel enrichment processing facility. Another nuclear fuel enrichment processing facility is much needed in the United States. The only plant in the country that does this type of sophisticated work is in New Mexico, and it is currently running at capacity. 'Utah is filling the gap of what exists in the energy chain,' said Joel Ferry, the executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. At a press conference Thursday, the Utah National Guard, Utah Energy and others outlined the plan to put Utah on the map as a major player in the nation's energy sphere — especially when it comes to next generation nuclear technology. 'We have to be ambitious because we are so far behind,' said Drew DeWalt with Utah Energy. 'We've been working around the margins.' DeWalt added: 'We are in a business of chance. ... We do not want to be flatfooted.' Emery, Grand, Carbon, Wayne and San Juan counties are full of uranium deposits. Utah is also home to the only processing mill for uranium — White Mesa in Blanding — but it does not take the uranium and turn it into fuel there. DeWalt said the uranium deposits in Utah put the state in an enviable position. But, unlike Europe and elsewhere, the United States has been hesitant to take up this new energy source, despite receiving 20 percent of its power from old-school nuclear power plants. 'Nuclear has not been a growth industry for a lot of decades, but it felt like a ground shift about three years ago,' DeWalt said. 'You should want this, but it is 'no we are good.' The energy need is so important in every state.' What is proposed to happen at Camp Williams is the task of taking that uranium and refining it for fuel in the advanced nuclear reactors. The Idaho National Laboratory describes HALEU as high-assay low-enriched uranium. 'HALEU fuel has some big advantages over conventional light water reactor fuel including longer cycle times in reactor, less waste production and less downtime for refueling. 'With HALEU, advanced reactors can get increased fuel in-core lifetimes because you have higher enrichment,' said Adrian Wagner, a metallurgical engineer and INL's Advanced Manufacturing group lead. 'In simple terms, higher enrichment means more uranium-235 atoms in each pellet.' The U.S. Department of Energy warned last year that the Russian war with Ukraine will drive the need for the development of this fuel. Russia has roughly 44% of the world's uranium enrichment capacity and supplies approximately 35% of our imports for nuclear fuel. The transition away from Russian-sourced fuel will not happen overnight. 'The Department of Energy estimates that U.S. utilities have roughly three years of LEU (low enriched uranium) available through existing inventory or pre-existing contracts. To ensure our plants do not experience any disruptions, we're creating a waiver process to allow some imports of LEU from Russia to continue for a limited time,' the agency said. When questioned about safety, DeWalt and others said this material already travels along the I-15 corridor, and environmental and safety protocols will be strictly followed should the project come to fruition. Ferry said this agreement, which will go through several public hearings and is slated to be discussed next week at interim legislative committee meetings, will be vetted and rigorously scrutinized. He talked about Operation Gigawatt, an initiative announced last year by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to double energy production in the state in 10 years. Utah is no longer coloring outside the lines or dabbling in what could be a clean, renewable energy resource to sustain the grid, he added. Utah, he emphasized, is committed because it has to be. 'Utah has always been a leader,' he said. 'Operation Gigawatt builds on our ecosystem' of energy. As it is with most projects, a fuel processing facility at Camp Williams will have to go through a lengthy environmental review process as well as the scrutiny of licensing via the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. DeWalt stressed that should this come to pass, residents in southwest Salt Lake County are not going to see giant smokestacks spewing steam. This will look like any other warehouse, but it will pump up Utah's economy and make the state an energy pioneer. The future, he emphasized, is coming — via clean, baseload energy that despite what critics say can be safe. DeWalt spent his early career working on nuclear submarines. The USS Nautilus, launched in 1954, was the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. Its successful operation demonstrated the capability and viability of nuclear power for submarines, creating a path for more advanced nuclear-powered vessels. 'I would not be doing this if I did not think there were going to be advanced reactors in every community,' he said. The Office of Energy Development under Ferry is on board to pursue this venture and wants the Utah community to learn more and become engaged in the science. 'This is generational,' Ferry said.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Flag honoring Utah man killed in action is getting repaired, replaced
A giant U.S. flag flown in North Ogden yearly is undergoing some major changes after it was damaged by weather The flag named 'The Major' is one of Utah's most recognizable flags due to who it's honoring and how big it is. 'There is no kitchen table or sewing table big enough,' said Jennie Taylor, the wife of the late Maj. Brent Taylor. 'Every single one of those 50 stars is 5 feet tall.' Brent Taylor was a member of the Utah National Guard shot and killed in Afghanistan on Nov. 3, 2018, by a rogue member of the Afghan military. Every year, the flag honoring Brent Taylor is hung in the Coldwater Canyon. It is also meant to pay tribute to other U.S. military veterans. Last November, it sustained heavy damage from wind and rain. 'When this particular flag, The Major, took a beating last November, I almost felt like it was symbolic of my husband and my life and me,' Jennie Taylor said. Jennie Taylor said she nearly retired the flag after rain, snow and wind tore it up. 'Widowhood is not super easy, for those who are asking,' she said. But Jennie Taylor felt inspired to give The Major new life. The flag will be on display at different events across Utah. 'It flies strong and proud and true. And it takes a beating here and there, and it needs repairs along the way … I think that's kind of how we sometimes feel as American people,' she said. 'We're strong and proud and true to our values, and sometimes we get beaten up, and sometimes we need a break.' When The Major was not flying, it was placed in a black case signed by every serviceman and woman who had seen it in person. Their notes are a reminder of their bravery and commitment. For Jennie Taylor, those signatures help her not to give up the tradition. 'New life rising like the phoenix from the ashes. We need a new set of Sharpies, and we need to find new service members and veterans to sign that box,' Jennie Taylor said. Colonial Flag workers are creating a new flag to replace The Major's duty to fly over Coldwater Canyon during Memorial Day. 'We have to cram a lot of fabric onto that machine and maneuver,' said Jacob Swenson of Colonial Flag. 'Did we get the math right on this? Do we get it all calculated?' The Major Brent Taylor Foundation is accepting name ideas for the new flag on the foundation's website.
Axios
08-05-2025
- General
- Axios
How Vietnam's refugees made their way to Utah
Fifty years ago this week, refugees from Vietnam began to arrive in Utah after the fall of Saigon. This is Old News, our weekly relocation to Utah's past. The big picture: After nearly two decades of conflict, the collapse of South Vietnam happened at a speed that took most Americans by surprise. In the final two days of April 1975, more than 7,000 American civilians and imperiled Vietnamese citizens were flown by helicopter out of Saigon — now officially called Ho Chi Minh City — as North Vietnamese troops seized control. By the numbers: A week before that, the first wave of about 130,000 refugees had begun to flee Vietnam, most of them to Guam. They joined about 2,600 orphaned children who were taken there earlier that month. As refugees started to arrive, the U.S. military estimated space for only about 13,000 refugees on the island territory. What they said: Then-president Gerald Ford told Americans to prepare for a massive influx of refugees being transported from tent cities in Guam to U.S. military bases — and sought funds as members in Congress increasingly fielded "anti-refugee" calls and letters from constituents. "It makes me damn mad. It just burns me up, these great humanitarians," Ford said mockingly of the reluctant lawmakers. "Now they just turn their backs." How it worked: By May 8, the Utah National Guard was preparing resettlement camps for up to 1,000 refugees — though that plan was soon scrapped in favor of seeking individual sponsors to support the newcomers for at least two years. Yes, but: By July, about 20,000 refugees still languished in Camp Pendleton, California, waiting for sponsors as representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Catholic Charities in Salt Lake tried to drum up volunteers. Zoom in: 17 refugees — some of them children separated from their parents — were among the first arrivals in Utah. A West Valley City family with ties to Vietnam acted as their sponsor, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. Neighbors helped provide beds as the group made frantic phone calls trying to find other loved ones who had made their way to the United States. The bottom line: From 1975 to 2000 some 3 million refugees fled Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Utah National Guard is on a mission to find pieces to an ‘interesting puzzle'; 51-acre area key
The Utah National Guard is preparing to conduct a sweep of a 51-acre mountainous area in Utah County, southwest of Camp Williams, to locate and remove possible World War-era munitions, according to officials. The operation aims to ensure the safety of Eagle Mountain residents and outdoor enthusiasts who frequent the area, Fox 13 reports. Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber with the Utah National Guard explained that the site, historically used for military training during World War I and World War II, may contain munitions debris dating back a century. 'This was a great place to conduct military training,' Kroeber said. 'A lot of army units came through this area to prepare for World War I and World War II.' Read More: With toilet paper shortage looming in US, Japanese alternatives gaining popularity The initiative follows previous efforts, including a visual sweep in 2017 and an instrument-aided reconnaissance in 2019, led by Colton Berube, the Utah National Guard's cleanup project manager. Berube noted the area's transformation, stating, 'You look around — none of this housing was here. It was just a big open development.' With new neighborhoods now bordering the site, ensuring its safety has become a priority. Read More: Donald Trump warns secondary sanctions on countries buying Iran's oil, petrochemicals Eagle Mountain city spokesperson Tyler Maffitt highlighted the historical significance of the area, saying, 'That we have such incredible military history right here where we're standing — I think is such an interesting piece of the puzzle.' Maffitt, who hikes the trails regularly, emphasized the community's reliance on the area for recreation. Officials are urging the public to follow the '3 Rs' protocol if they encounter potential munitions: recognize items that appear intact, retreat from the area, and report findings to local authorities. The National Guard's sweep aims to mitigate risks and preserve the area's safety for future use.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Deseret News archives: Pancho Villa invaded the U.S. but suffered defeat in 1916
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. On March 9, 1916, more than 400 Mexican raiders led by Pancho Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico, killing 18 Americans. It is one of the few times the United States suffered an attack on its home soil. Ah Pancho Villa. Did you think he was a real historical figure? In the early 1900s, he most definitely was. The Deseret Evening News carried daily updates on the battle to catch Villa, and how the Utah National Guard was called to support the battles along the U.S.-Mexico border. Following two years of war, the two countries sign the Treaty of Guadelupe-Hildalgo in early 1848. In exchange for $15 million, Mexico surrendered half its territory, or 890,000 square miles, including California, Arizona and New Mexico as well as Texas, to the United States. Fifty years later, uprisings grew along the border. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson ordered Marines to seize the Mexican port of Veracruz in retaliation for the arrest of some American sailors. In November of that year, revolutionary peasant leader Francisco 'Pancho' Villa took over. His government collapsed the following year. According to historical accounts, by late 1915, Villa had lost much of the widespread support he had enjoyed at the start of the Mexican Revolution. Having lost a series of battles, Villa and the remaining 500 soldiers of his Army of the North were desperate for food, horses and weapons. In March 1916, Villa planned a raid on the military garrison in the Columbus, New Mexico. The small town lay only a couple of miles across the border. According to historians, Villa sent spies to gather information, and they returned to report that the garrison consisted of only 50 men. On the night of March 8, Villa led the Army of the North into Columbus and attacked the garrison in the early hours of March 9. Villa's men also began looting and setting fire to houses in the town. But, instead of the 50 U.S. soldiers that Villa had expected, there were actually 350 soldiers, including the 13th U.S. Cavalry, stationed at the garrison. The raid quickly became a fierce battle when U.S. troops fought back from the garrison with machine guns. A second detachment of U.S. soldier launched a counterattack, which forced Villa and his men to retreat. They were pursued by U.S. cavalrymen back across the border into Mexico. A few weeks later Villa's forces attacked two small towns in the Big Bend region of Texas, Glenn Springs and Boquillas, fighting another garrison of American soldiers. In response to the attacks, U.S. forces under the command of Gen. John J. Pershing invaded Mexico in an attempt to capture Villa. The raid also touched off anti-Villista reprisals throughout the Southwest, with six captured raiders hanged by vigilantes at Columbus. The National Defense Act was signed on June 3, 1916, and became one of the hallmark moments in National Guard history. On June 18, 1916, the Utah National Guard mustered two squadrons of cavalry, one field artillery battery and a field hospital. In total, the Utah Guard would assign more than 800 Soldiers to duty along the Mexican border. The Utah National Guard units began to arrive at the border on June 29, 1916 and established its camp in Nogales, Arizona, along the Santa Cruz River. Utahns also had interest in the border because many followers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints settled in northern Mexico from 1890-1910. Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about Villa, the battles along the U.S.-Mexico border and why Utahns care deeply about the colonies in northern Mexico: 'Pancho Villa rides again' Pancho Villa relative is Mexico's newest tough cop Mexican towns full of poverty — and faith Twila Van Leer: The genealogist who started helping with family history at 8 years old 'Foreign attacks on U.S. soil rare in nation's history' 'Chronology: U.S.-Mexico relations since 1835″ 'Remembering back 176 years: How Utah stopped being part of Mexico' 'Guns of Villa, Calamity Jane for sale' 'Film review: 'Old Gringo''
