Arco, Idaho, and its neighboring small towns, like Atomic City with a population of 52, have a deep connection to nuclear energy. At a local bar, owner Vickie O’Haro serves customers, many of whom work at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), known for its role in nuclear energy research since 1949.
Despite a national Gallup poll showing most Americans oppose nuclear plants nearby, differing views exist here. “I live 10 miles away, and I’m fine,” O’Haro remarked. She jokingly added, “I’m not glowing in the dark, you know? There’s nothing to be scared of.” On June 8, 2026, O’Haro tended to her businesses, the Atomic City Bar & Store and Atomic Motor Raceway, both close to INL.
Nuclear energy is regaining momentum. Under President Donald Trump, new projects received a boost, including the development of small nuclear reactors expected to be operational soon. This summer, three companies at INL and one in Utah activated new reactor models.
INL covers 900 square miles of high desert. Here, Deployable Energy achieved a breakthrough when its test reactor went critical, marking a sustained chain reaction. This represents a potential shift in energy production, according to Lance Maul, the company’s COO. “This is a real moment in history for the nation,” Maul commented, envisioning smaller reactors serving remote locations, military sites, and AI centers.
Trump supported these developments, leading to streamlined reactor approvals by the Department of Energy, cutting extensive regulations without public notice. However, Edwin Lyman from the Union of Concerned Scientists raised concerns about weakened oversight and reduced standards for radiation and security. The federal commission overseeing nuclear developments has faced staffing cuts, especially safety experts.
Despite these challenges, O’Haro remains unfazed. At her bar, with country tunes playing, she said, “If we weren’t safe, my guys would tell me that we weren’t safe.” Polls indicate Americans generally oppose nearby nuclear plants, but there is rising support for leveraging nuclear power at the national level.
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