VALAR WATCH
Key findingsTheir claims, annotatedEvidenceTake action
374 facts · 512 sources · updated 2026-09-30

Fact gov-014

newrecordconfirmed Feb 2026: state board OKs first phase of a Valar-funded $20M, 10 MW gas-fired heater at the lab to test CO2 power
2026-02-11 · gov-014 · Utah Energy Research Board, Valar Atomics, Utah San Rafael Energy Lab, Jaron Wallace · Valar-funded supercritical CO2 demonstration project (as presented): $20,000,000; Phase 1 design and planning approved: $400,000

Minutes of the Utah Energy Research Board's 11 February 2026 meeting (held at the lab in Orangeville and online; agenda item 'Valar Supercritical CO2 Demonstration'): lab director Jaron Wallace presented a Valar proposal to build a 10 MW thermal natural-gas-powered heater to test supercritical CO2 power generation and other technologies; Valar would fund the whole $20 million project, which 'will eventually become the property of the lab', and asked for completion by June 2026. Members questioned the June timeline and asked for risk management and contract exit clauses; the board voted to enter an agreement for 'Phase 1', the first $400,000 of design, engineering and execution planning, and to re-evaluate before construction (Phase 2). The same meeting heard that Valar was 'on track for a July 4th operational deadline', that the lab was growing from five to eight employees, and that new perimeter fencing and ID checks were being added 'to meet DOE standards'. The board's 13 May 2026 minutes record no Phase 2 vote, and its 12 August 2026 agenda lists no item on the project. This project is not mentioned in any Valar document or state release read, and no air-quality permit for a 10 MW gas heater was found (DAQ's lists could not be searched, carbon_site.json).

In plain termsBesides the reactor, Valar asked the state board to let it build a large natural-gas heater at the lab, about 10 megawatts of heat, to test a way of turning heat into electricity using carbon dioxide instead of steam. Valar would pay the roughly $20 million and the equipment would end up belonging to the state lab. The board approved only a first design step and wanted exit clauses. It shows Valar's activity at the lab is wider than the one reactor the public hears about.
verified 2026-09-29: Re-read the 11 Feb 2026 minutes and notice 2026-09-29; quotes exact (the minutes spell it 'Valor'). Holds; the 'no Phase 2 vote' point now cites the May 2026 minutes and the August 2026 agenda, both read.

In tabs: government, plans, funding, local, timeline · file government