Parsons, Kansas — A proposal to place the world’s first commercial underground nuclear reactor beneath a small Kansas town is dividing residents, with some welcoming the promise of new jobs while others worry about environmental risks and the safety of the community’s groundwater.
The experimental project, led by California-based startup Deep Fission, is one of several next-generation nuclear initiatives backed by the federal government as the United States looks to expand its clean energy capacity.
Deep Fission Wants to Build Reactor One Mile Underground
Deep Fission was founded by Liz Muller and her father, Richard Muller, a physicist and inventor.
Unlike traditional nuclear power plants, the company’s design would place a small pressurized-water reactor inside a narrow borehole approximately one mile beneath the ground.
The reactor would heat water underground, with the resulting energy used to generate electricity at the surface.
According to the company, the underground design could eliminate some of the costly safety structures required at conventional nuclear plants because the surrounding rock and water pressure would provide additional containment and cooling support.
Deep Fission has reportedly raised about $150 million, including $40 million dedicated to work in Parsons, a community of roughly 9,600 residents.
The company has already drilled one test hole, with another expected to be completed this year. A full-scale prototype is planned before the company attempts to install a reactor loaded with nuclear fuel, which could begin producing electricity in 2027 or 2028.
Residents Voice Concerns About Safety and Water
Despite the project’s potential, many residents remain unconvinced.
Critics argue the development timeline is unusually fast for the nuclear industry, raising concerns about whether sufficient environmental studies have been completed.
Some local residents and advocacy groups fear the reactor could pose risks to groundwater supplies and the surrounding environment, particularly if the project expands in the future.
Marjorie Reynolds, a pediatric nurse and founder of the nonprofit Prairie Dog Alliance, described the proposal as “a nuclear experiment,” expressing concerns about environmental oversight and possible impacts on local water resources.
Environmental advocacy organization Beyond Nuclear has also criticized the project.
Its representative, Paul Gunter, argued that the reactor should undergo a comprehensive, peer-reviewed environmental impact review before construction moves forward.
Earlier this year, a coalition of state attorneys general challenged a new U.S. Department of Energy policy that streamlines environmental reviews for certain advanced nuclear reactor projects.
Company Says Reactor Design Is Safe
Deep Fission maintains that the project has been designed with safety in mind.
According to CEO Liz Muller, participation in the Department of Energy’s pilot program allows the company to develop its first reactor much faster than would previously have been possible.
Richard Muller has also argued that the reactor will be located far below underground aquifers, making it unlikely to affect drinking water supplies.
The company says it intends to comply with all applicable nuclear safety regulations as well as oil and gas drilling requirements during construction and operation.
Each reactor is expected to generate 15 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 12,000 homes.
The long-term vision includes deploying 100 or more underground reactors, potentially producing more than one gigawatt of electricity, enough to support large energy users such as data centers.
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Others See a Major Economic Opportunity
While opponents continue raising concerns, many local residents believe the project could transform Parsons’ economy.
Supporters hope the investment will attract new businesses, create stable employment opportunities, and strengthen the town’s long-term economic outlook.
Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks expressed optimism about the proposal, describing it as proven nuclear technology being applied in a new way.
He said that if the project attracts additional manufacturing and creates living-wage jobs, it could represent a significant opportunity for the community.
As federal officials continue promoting advanced nuclear technology to meet rising electricity demand, Parsons now finds itself at the center of a debate over innovation, economic growth, and public safety.
Would you support an underground nuclear reactor if it promised jobs and clean energy for your community, or would environmental concerns outweigh the potential benefits?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
