SALT LAKE CITY, UT – May 5, 2025 – In a landmark step toward shaping America’s clean energy future, the State of Utah, Hi Tech Solutions LLC (HTS), and Holtec International have officially entered into a transformative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at establishing the Mountain West’s first comprehensive nuclear energy ecosystem. This groundbreaking initiative integrates the deployment of advanced small modular reactors (SMRs) with domestic manufacturing, operational training, and workforce development, solidifying Utah’s role as a leading innovator in sustainable and secure energy solutions.
Building on the Legislature's strong support for nuclear energy and Governor Spencer Cox’s ambitious Operation Gigawatt initiative—which is focused on doubling Utah’s energy production capacity—this partnership aligns with the governor's visionary 'Built Here' strategy to develop and deploy energy solutions within the state. The collaboration underscores a commitment to ensuring affordable, reliable, and secure energy for households, industry, and essential infrastructure throughout the region.
At the heart of the initiative is the deployment of Holtec International’s cutting-edge small modular reactor technology, renowned for its safety, scalability, and efficiency. These SMRs represent a next-generation nuclear solution that significantly reduces environmental impact while offering exceptional reliability and operational flexibility, perfectly suited to meet the diverse energy demands of Utah and the broader Mountain West region.
Hi Tech Solutions (HTS), a recognized leader in nuclear power support services, will spearhead the operational training and workforce development components of the project. HTS will leverage its extensive industry experience to train a highly skilled workforce, creating numerous high-paying, sustainable jobs while nurturing a talent pipeline that will power the nuclear ecosystem for generations.
"We're laying groundwork for advanced nuclear reactors while protecting national security by building capacity to be a net energy exporter through Operation Gigawatt," declared Governor Spencer Cox during his recent state of the state announcement about the state of Utah. “Together we will unleash Utah’s immense energy resources and drive prices down, all while making our grid more secure and reliable.”
This comprehensive nuclear energy ecosystem positions Utah at the forefront of the clean energy revolution, marking a pivotal moment in the transition toward sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure. By fostering innovation, promoting domestic manufacturing, and prioritizing workforce excellence, Utah, HTS, and Holtec International are poised to set a global benchmark for collaborative clean energy advancement.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) commits the collaborating partners to a robust, locally driven strategy, ensuring significant benefits for the region through sustained innovation, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. The cornerstone initiatives of this comprehensive approach include:
“Hi Tech Solutions is deeply honored to have led the strategic groundwork required to realize this transformative partnership, from fostering robust workforce and utility alliances to detailed development planning and proactive state-level engagement,” stated Chris Hayter, President and Chief Operations Officer of Hi Tech Solutions. “Our dedicated team has spent years meticulously building towards this pivotal moment. Today’s MOU validates the visionary leadership of Utah and demonstrates the tangible outcomes achievable through collaboration, foresight, and relentless execution. At HTS, we are fully committed to building a sustainable energy future, responsibly, rapidly, and above all, centered around empowering local communities and workers to lead the way.”
Emy Faulkner Lesofski, the State of Utah Director of the Office of Energy Development (Middle) with Holtec President of Global Clean Energy Dr. Rick Springman (Right) and Hi Tech Solutions President, COO, & Co-Founder Chris Hayter (Left) signing the MOU on April 29, 2025.
This groundbreaking initiative is more than just the deployment of advanced reactor technology, it represents a comprehensive blueprint for energy reinvestment and economic revitalization across the Mountain West region. HTS is collaborating intensively with strategic partners in Utah and neighboring states, meticulously aligning large-scale energy demands with utility capabilities, infrastructure readiness, and robust legislative support. HTS’s multi-faceted approach encompasses not only the immediate project at hand but also broader regional infrastructure upgrades, sustainable workforce pipelines, and innovative financing solutions designed to catalyze long-term, region-wide prosperity.
“This MOU represents exactly the kind of strategic investment in Utah's future that we've been championing at the Capitol. By developing a comprehensive nuclear ecosystem with training, manufacturing, and deployment components, we're not just addressing our energy needs—we're aligning our educational priorities with high-demand career pathways that will keep Utah competitive,” said Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz. “The training center will help us develop the engineers and skilled workers our economy is screaming for, while the manufacturing facilities will create jobs in both urban and rural communities. This partnership shows how public-private collaboration can deliver results that benefit all Utahns while maintaining our position as a national leader in affordable, reliable energy.”
“This partnership with Holtec and Hi Tech Solutions positions Utah at the forefront of America’s nuclear future,” said Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams. “By building a complete ecosystem around SMR technology, we’re not just meeting our state’s growing energy needs—we’re strengthening national security and powering the next generation of innovation. Reliable nuclear energy will support the AI systems, data centers and critical infrastructure that drive both our economy and our defense. This is the Utah Dream in action—energy independence that keeps America strong and Utah leading the way.”
“As we thoughtfully explore adding nuclear to Utah’s energy mix, we look forward to developing efforts that support the workforce and investment necessary to realize the goals of Gov. Spencer Cox’s Operation Gigawatt,” said Emy Faulkner Lesofski, Director of the Utah Office of Energy Development (OED). “The deployment of clean, scalable and reliable energy resources will protect quality of life for all Utahns.”
Holtec International’s advanced SMR-300 reactor, leveraging proven and highly reliable pressurized water reactor technology, is poised to become a cornerstone of Utah’s future energy landscape. Engineered specifically for scalable deployment, this cutting-edge reactor design offers carbon-free, robust baseload power uniquely tailored to support energy-intensive operations such as data centers, major industrial facilities, and overall grid reliability. With its modular nature and advanced safety features, the SMR-300 will significantly enhance the resilience and flexibility of the Mountain West’s energy infrastructure.
“We are not just delivering nuclear reactors; we have put together a plan to deliver the entire nuclear ecosystem to Utah and the surrounding region, inclusive of EPC delivery of the plants, manufacturing centers to produce major components, and workforce development tied to the specific delivery needs for the program,” stated Holtec’s President of Global Clean Energy Opportunities, Dr. Rick Springman.
Hi Tech Solutions, LLC (HTS) is a premier nuclear services and energy development company headquartered in Kennewick, WA, widely recognized as an essential strategic partner to the global nuclear power sector. With robust operations spanning North America and targeted projects across the international energy landscape, HTS delivers comprehensive expertise in nuclear workforce training and development, precision outage management, specialized operational support services, advanced reactor planning and deployment, and strategic energy advisory solutions. Committed to the highest standards of safety, operational excellence, and technological innovation, HTS collaborates closely with utilities, governments, and industry stakeholders to accelerate the integration of next-generation nuclear technologies, ensuring energy security, sustainability, and reliability.
Founded in 1986 by Dr. Kris Singh, Holtec International began as an engineering and design firm dedicated to solving complex challenges in the nuclear industry. Today, Holtec is recognized worldwide as a leader in clean energy innovation and spent nuclear fuel management, operating in 18 countries and providing advanced solutions including the SMR-300 small modular reactor. The company also sets global benchmarks with its HI-STORM family of spent fuel storage systems, renowned for their safety, security, and resilience under extreme conditions.
Anchored by its Krishna P. Singh Technology Campus in Camden, New Jersey, Holtec’s domestic manufacturing capabilities strengthen American industrial competitiveness while supporting local economic revitalization, job creation, and workforce development.
Guided by its founding principle, “A Generation Ahead by Design,” Holtec International remains committed to engineering excellence and sustainable energy innovation, supporting a secure and resilient energy future worldwide.
The Utah Office of Energy Development (OED) spearheads statewide initiatives to foster energy innovation, strategic investments, and policy alignment, bolstering Utah’s position as a leader in energy independence, environmental stewardship, and economic prosperity. OED actively engages stakeholders across industry, government, academia, and communities to build resilient infrastructure, educate and expand a skilled energy workforce, and implement forward-thinking energy policies. By aligning resources and collaborative partnerships, OED ensures Utah is equipped to meet current and future energy challenges with scalable, reliable, and sustainable solutions for all Utahans.