Kemmerer is remote even by Wyoming standards — a 50-mile detour from Interstate 80.
Its elevation is actually higher than the population and it attracts tourists who come to look for local fossils. But the best jobs come from different kinds of fossils — fossil fuels. A coal mine and natural gas wells power three electric power stations and employ over 450 people. But while the US is phasing out fossil fuels, Kemmerer sees good times ahead and could become one of the world’s most famous cities thanks to one of the world’s richest men.
Bill Gates and his 10-year-old energy company TerraPower are planning their first state-of-the-art nuclear power plant in Kemmerer.
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“I wonder why you chose Wyoming because Wyoming is actually the largest coal producing state. So you’ve kind of gotten into the lion’s den in this case,” said correspondent Barry Petersen.
“Wyoming has a big transmission because of the coal-fired power plants. And they’re ready to run things at full steam. There’s a certain pro-business atmosphere,” Gates said.
Kemmerer Mayor Bill Thek says his city is no stranger to American entrepreneurs. JCPenny opened its first store in Kemmerer in 1902 before expanding nationwide.
“This is James Cash Penney,” Thek said to Petersen.
“JC Penney?”
“Yes, JC Penney. He started JCPenney Corporation from here,” Thek said.
Now Kemmerer has a 21st century business hero.
“Wyoming is a pretty conservative state. I don’t think Bill Gates gets much credit in Wyoming for his stance on the coal phase-out and things like that. But now he’s sort of your local hero,” Petersen said.
“There are people who absolutely despise him. But you know, that’s what it is. He’s decided to put money into this thing. Nuclear power goes hand in hand with the advancement of its green energy, I think. And we’re not, I’m not against, and I don’t think most citizens are against something like that,” Thek said.
Solar and wind energy only work when the weather is right, but nuclear energy works 24 hours a day without emitting any climate-damaging greenhouse gases. It could be operational by 2029 and use a next-generation technology called sodium, which is Latin for sodium. Sodium-cooled reactors are three times more efficient than traditional water-cooled reactors, which means significantly less nuclear waste.
“And so the amount you make per decade is less than the size of a large room. And that’s how we’ve made such progress in waste disposal technology. So that shouldn’t be a limiting factor anymore,” Gates said.
The promise of a new plant keeps bulldozers busy as outside developers like David Jackson believe they’ll spark a boom. The first of the 2,500 workers who will build the plant are already conducting site surveys. As soon as the plant goes into operation, 300 employees will be responsible for the operation.
“A lot of big companies come here. There is a need for housing. So we went straight into the market and were first come, so to speak. That’s the one who’s going to win the game,” Jackson said.
Today’s factory workers could also benefit if they get new jobs, say Roger Holt, a manager at the coal-fired power plant, and Mark Thatcher, a retired miner.
“You know, this is a new design nuclear reactor, but it will still eventually produce steam and drive a steam turbine,” Holt said. “You will have many of the same devices that we currently use to generate electricity. So a lot of what we do will be transferrable.”
“Does that mean Kemmerer will have a job for 50 years?” asked Petersen.
“Yeah, the thing is, if you have 300 day jobs, gas stations, grocery stores, motels and everything else is possible, you know?” Thatcher said.
“Aren’t jobs the real answer here? For offering this community a chance to move on after their coal legacy is over?” asked Petersen Gates.
“Exactly. You know, if this coal plant shuts down, this community’s ability to hold young people and still stay alive is at risk,” Gates said.
Small towns survive when young people like these middle schoolers can find jobs in their hometown and when parents can earn a living to support a family. Kemmerer can do that now, says Thek.
“You have to move forward, otherwise you stagnate and die. And that’s not an option for me,” Thek said.
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