For Immediate Release
Contact:
Lindsey LeBaron
Communications Manager
Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
[email protected] | 801-420-5815
Carlos Artiles Fortun
Communications Specialist
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
[email protected] | 801-910-5547
Kim Wells
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
[email protected] | 801-803-0336
State of Utah Conducts Nuclear Energy Fact-Finding Mission to the United Kingdom
SALT LAKE CITY (June 18, 2025) — Utah’s Lieutenant Governor Deidre M. Henderson will lead a delegation of business development, policy, and energy experts to the United Kingdom (U.K.) to discuss nuclear power generation. Organized by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) and the Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR), this trip will be a key step in furthering Operation Gigawatt, the state’s plan to double energy production in the next decade and build our energy ecosystem.
“Utah is leading the future of clean energy by supporting the research and development of innovative production technologies,” said Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson. “The purpose of this trip is to learn from the United Kingdom’s experience with nuclear technology, strengthen international partnerships, and bring home valuable new insights that will benefit our state’s ambitious efforts to double our energy production within the next decade through Operation Gigawatt.”
Innovative energy solutions, such as nuclear power, will play a critical role in meeting the state’s growing energy needs. The United Kingdom is a leader in nuclear innovation, with significant advancements in small modular reactor SMR technology, fuel production, workforce development, and regulatory frameworks. The Utah delegation will meet with British government leadership to study policy that could benefit Utah’s entire nuclear supply chain, from safety and protecting water quality, to waste management, workforce development and community outreach. In addition, the delegation will meet with nuclear companies to discuss potential investments and technology deployments into the state of Utah.
“Our partnership with the U.K. brings an international partner to the table,” said Emy Lesofski, director of the Utah Office of Energy Development and energy advisor to Gov. Cox. “The U.K. has been operating nuclear plants for decades, and like Utah, they are interested in using new nuclear technologies to increase reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy on their grid. We have a lot in common with the U.K., and this is a unique partnership where we can share knowledge and gain insights from their long history of safely operating nuclear energy.”
Utah and the U.K. have closely collaborated across multiple strategic areas since Gov. Cox signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the British government in 2022. Building on the MOU, Utah continues to benefit significantly from its collaboration with the U.K., its leading export market.
“Our state’s long-standing relationship with the U.K. lays the perfect foundation for collaboration in energy,” said Franz Kolb, director of international trade and diplomacy at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. “Energy diplomacy is a proven form of subnational strategy to further our state’s economic priorities. GOEO-DNR international partnerships have been effective in bringing policy insights and business opportunities to the state of Utah from world experts.”
His Majesty’s Consul General Paul J. G. Rennie, OBE said, “As the British consul-general, supporting the development of the U.K.-Utah partnership is a key priority for me. The Utah nuclear energy delegation to the U.K. is a tangible example of how we are taking that work forward. This collaboration has the potential to both increase energy security, while reducing costs and increasing growth, through the deployment of cutting-edge nuclear technologies and the mutual support and learning that comes with that.”
In the face of ever-growing energy needs, Utah is committed to learning best practices from experts around the world. Read news on a similar fact-finding mission to Iceland last year and learn more about the results of that trip here.
###
About the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
Under Gov. Spencer J. Cox’s direction, the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity provides resources and support for business creation, growth, and recruitment, while also promoting tourism and film production in Utah. Our office cultivates economic prosperity for all Utahns, leveraging federal, state, and private sector resources to implement programs in areas with the highest potential for economic development and opportunities for Utah residents.
About the Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson was re-elected as Utah’s ninth Lieutenant Governor in 2024. During her first term in office, Lt. Gov. Henderson has been a leading voice for helping Utahns rejoin the workforce through the Return Utah program, bringing Utah’s history to the national stage, advocating for survivors of domestic violence, and instilling a culture of service in Utah’s youth.
About the Utah Department of Natural Resources
The Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) works to manage, protect, and sustain the state’s natural resources in service of Utah’s quality of life and economic vitality. While DNR includes multiple divisions focused on water, land, wildlife, recreation, and public lands, the Utah Office of Energy Development (OED) leads the state’s efforts to advance an any-of-the-above energy strategy.
OED is at the forefront of promoting a diverse, reliable, and sustainable energy portfolio for Utah. A key focus area is the exploration and development of nuclear energy as a clean and dependable power source. The office also supports energy policy, workforce development, and innovation to help power Utah’s future responsibly and affordably. Learn more at energy.utah.gov
Note to Editor:
The British Consulate in Los Angeles represents the interests of the United Kingdom in Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah, as well as the US Pacific Territories. As part of our commitment to building deeper relationships with the United States, we work within communities to strengthen the bonds between our people and act as a force for good along with our shared values.