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Oklahoma Eyes Neighboring Kansas Nuclear Surge
As Oklahoma tracks regional energy momentum, nearby Kansas is making a bold move. Two counties there are stepping up to host the next-generation nuclear reactor from TerraPower and Evergy.
Two Counties, One Ambition
Coffey County, Kansas and Lyon County, Kansas have publicly declared interest in the project. Coffey County already hosts the Wolf Creek Generating Station — the only nuclear power plant in Kansas. Its site spans 9,818 acres and draws condenser water from nearby Coffey County Lake. Construction started in 1977 and the plant commenced service in September 1985 at a cost of $8.88 billion.
Lyon County’s largest city is Emporia, and local officials are pushing hard to get the next reactor.
Coffey County’s Resolution
On October 20, Coffey County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to support a Natrium reactor from TerraPower and Evergy. They plan to send letters of interest to both firms.
“We are not just ready for a project like this; we are the perfect fit,” said Wayde Thomsen, Chairman of the Coffey County Board of Commissioners.
Coffey County leaders cite their decades-long partnership with Evergy through Wolf Creek, existing infrastructure and local workforce readiness.
Lyon County’s Bid and Regional Implications
Lyon County won a nod of support from the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas, which endorsed efforts spearheaded by state Representative Mark Schreiber to bring the advanced reactor to the region.
“It’s ability is to retain the heat that comes off the reactor core for a long period of time,” Schreiber said. “It doesn’t need to be pressurized, so that reduces the amount of the equipment that’s needed to be inside the containment building.”
He pointed to booming demand for data centers, EV chargers and manufacturing as catalysts.
“I think Kansas is perfectly situated right in the middle of the country, and in the middle of the southwest power pool, with a good transmission network…” said Schreiber.
What This Means for Oklahoma
Oklahoma utilities and policymakers should watch this site-selection closely. A reactor in eastern or central Kansas could feed into the same regional transmission grid that serves parts of Oklahoma. The competition for advanced-nuclear siting signals growing interest in reliable, large-scale baseload power. If the Kansas project moves forward, Oklahoma might see ripple-effects in workforce demand, supplier activity and transmission infrastructure upgrades.
Next Steps
Reports say that TerraPower will not begin a formal review of possible sites until January 2026. KCUR+1 Counties like Coffey and Lyon have work to do in the meantime: securing local support, zoning, workforce readiness and grid-access agreements.
Rewritten for clarity by Oklahoma Energy Today
SOURCE: Emporia Gazette
SOURCE: KSNT
SOURCE: KWCH
SOURCE: KVOE