By Jared Lloyd | The Daily Herald | Photo by Issac Hale | The Daily Herald

The demand for energy in the modern world is already voracious and continues to grow.

One of the elements of addressing the need is nuclear power — but it needs fuel.

According to Joel Ferry, executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, there aren’t many places in the United States that process uranium for reactors.

Camp Williams, at the edge of Utah Valley in Bluffdale, could play a big role in changing that.

Ferry was joined by government, military and private representatives at a press conference at the Utah State Capitol on Thursday to announce a proposed uranium processing facility at Camp Williams.

“As we grow, as we develop, as we change our lifestyles, we need more energy,” Ferry told the Daily Herald. “We need baseload energy that is long-term, sustainable, clean and there when you need it. Nuclear energy is the answer.”

While he said there are currently 96 nuclear power plants in the United States, much of the fuel processing comes from overseas. He sees Utah having the opportunity to lead the way to increase the nation’s energy independence.

Read more at heraldextra.com.

This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aims to inform readers across the state.