CASPER, Wyo.—It’s not easy being a rancher in Wyoming.

Not only do they confront the wrath of Mother Nature, but they also must jump over government hurdles and navigate market conditions, among other challenges.

Out with the old, in with the new-again: That’s the idea behind a new nuclear power project based in Kemmerer. A next-generation nuclear reactor, dubbed Natrium, will be built in the town by 2028—on the (soon-to-be-former) site of the to-be-closed Naughton coal power plant. The effort is a joint venture between the Department of Energy and a company called TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates.

KEMMERER, Wyo.—Wyoming’s retiring coal assets and political support for new nuclear power made the state an attractive option for the site of TerraPower’s Natrium reactor. Kemmerer beat out Gillette, Glenrock and Rock Springs for the Natrium plant, which is set to open in 2028. Mayor William (Bill) Thek and others said TerraPower chose Kemmerer due to the community’s ardent approval of the project.

KEMMERER, Wyo.—In late 2019, Teri Picerno heard that the Naughton coal power plant outside of Kemmerer would close in the coming years. The news was devastating for the local bar owner and 42-year resident of the small Wyoming coal town.