As previously reported in the Parsons Sun, American Advocacy Initiative recently attended a closed-door meeting with Chief Operating Officer of Deep Fission Mike Brasel.
The following are questions posed by the American Advocacy Initiative concerning the experimental pilot project Deep Fission is working on at the Great Plains Industrial Park. The responses are from Mike Brasel. These questions and statements were released on the American Advocacy Initiative Facebook Page.
American Advocacy Initiative: What is the process of ensuring safety?
Brasel: Safety is our top priority. Nuclear power has been safely powering communities around the world for decades, and we build on that strong foundation.
Our team includes experienced operators and engineers who have spent their careers working on Nuclear projects, with a focus on safety at every stage. What makes our approach even safer is the location.
By placing reactors a mile underground, they are surrounded by billions of tons of bedrock, which acts as a powerful, passive layer of protection.
In addition, the system is built with multiple protective barriers and layers of casing, designed to contain and isolate the rector under all conditions.
AAI: What is the process of how the reactor works? How will refueling work, and what will disposal look like after the reactor is no longer viable?
Brasel: Deep Fission uses standard pressurized water reactor technology, which is the most widely used an well-understoof ype of nuclear reactor in the world. The difference is that our Gravity reactor is installed about one mile underground in a borehole.
We combine proven nuclear technology with drilling methods used safely for decades in the oil and gas industry, along with heat transfer techniques used in geothermal systems.
Our underground design potentially allows for storage of the used fuel at the bottom of the borehole until such time recycling is available or a permanent disposal facility is identified.
See QUESTIONS, Page 3.
Where required, the company will use traditional used-fuel handling methods, such as above-ground dry cask storage, which is widely used across the United States.
Placing the reactor at this depth provides an added layer of safety. It is surrounded by a massive amount of stable bedrock, along with multiple engineered protective barriers, including several layers of casing. A mile-long column of water in the borehole helps provide the necessary pressure and is continuously recycles through the system.
Rather than refueling underground, each Deep Fission reactor is designed to operate for a defined lifespan; approximately 2-8 years. When it reaches the end of its operating life, it is sealed off, and a new reactor unit can be stacked on top of the old.
Each borehole is expected to be usable for roughly 50 years. Used fuel and end-of-life equipment are managed under strict regulatory oversight.
AAI: Will the economic impact be positive, neutral or negative for citizens? Will there be opportunities for jobs for local blue-collar workers? Will nuclear power lessen costs for citizens?
Brasel: We expect the project to have a positive economic impact on the community. While it’s too early to provide specific figures, during construction, the project would create a meaningful number of temporary jobs, including skilled trades and other positions.
Once operational, the facility would support a smaller, but steady group of long-term, high-quality jobs. We are committed to working with local contractors and workforce partners wherever possible.
In addition to direct employment, projects like this typically generate additional economic activity in the area; supporting local businesses and the economy.
Regarding electricity costs, nuclear energy is known for providing reliable baseload, longterm power pricing. Many factors contribute to the cost of power, including transmission and distribution costs, power supply costs, and local supply and demand. Residential electricity rates are determined by the local provider; however reliable local power generation can contribute to greater long-term price stability.
AAI: At the Prairie Dog Alliance Meeting, the public was informed that there is a $56 million deficit in the funding for Deep Fission. You mentioned in our conversation that millions have been raised, how can this be explained? This is a concern to the public that the debt could cause the project to not be done safely or effectively.
Brasel: As of today, Deep Fission has zero debt on its balance sheet. Deep Fission has raised over $100 million from investors. Some of that early funding was structured as a common startup investment tool called a SAFE, (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) which is not a bank loan and does not require monthly payments like debt.
The $56,000 is a noncash number representing the early investment. Those investments have since converted into company equity, or ownership, — not debt.
Most importantly, safety is not something we compromise on. Nuclear projects are heavily regulated, and our engineering and operational plans are built around meeting the highest safety requirements.
AAI: On July 4, the plan is for a prototype to go in the ground not containing nuclear material? The reactor could go critical in early 2027?
Brasel: We plan to do a series of meaningful tests around July 4, 2026, and commercialize the reactor technology in 2027.
AAI: Deep Fission has no hand in the data center that may be placed in Parsons; is that a decision on behalf of Great Plains Industrial Park?
Brasel: Deep Fission’s role is focused specifically on developing and operating the nuclear energy facility. Decisions regarding whether a data center is built in Parsons are made by Great Plains Industrial Park and other relevant stakeholders.
Editor’s note: As of this time, there is no public agreement with any company to build a data center at Great Plains Industrial Park. Technology, including data centers, is one industry the industrial park is open to recruiting. Other industries they are targeting include utility service providers, manufacturers, and the food and beverage industry.
AAI: Also, it was mentioned that there’s a difference between this and the water intake of other projects?
Brasel: Our reactor design is different from many traditional power plants that rely on large volumes of wter from a river, lake, or other natural source for cooling. Deep Fission uses a closed-loop cooling system, meaning the water circulates within the system and is reused, rather than continuously withdrawn from a natural body of water.
This significantly reduces ongoing water consumption compared to conventional facilities. To accomplish this, Deep Fission will use an air-cooled condenser as part of the steam cycle.
AAI: Being as the reactor will be below groundwater, is there much room, if any at all for contamination of our groundwater?
Brasel: We use multiple layers of protection to make sure nothing leaks out of the borehole. On top of that, groundwater is shallow, typically above 1200 feet.
The reactor operation and fuel are stored deep underground, surrounded by billions of tons of solid rock that’s been stable for millions of years. That rock acts like a natural shield, keeping everything safely contained. There is no groundwater present at these depths.
AAI: Was Deep Fission attracted to the area due to Great Plains Industrial Park reaching out to host the project?
Brasel: Deep Fission was attracted to this area because Kansas and the surrounding region have a strong legacy of energy leadership and innovation, along with the workforce, support, and long-term vision needed to advance next-generation nuclear technology.
Great Plains Industrial Park is also uniquely suited for a project like this, with established zoning for energy projects, strong logistics access, and the flexibility required for longterm planning. Great Plains Industrial Park has been actively seeking a low-carbon, reliable baseload power solution to support future economic development, and we look forward to collaborating with Evergy, the region’s power provide to help meet those needs.
Just as importantly, local leadership and the broader community have been highly supportive, which has reinforced our confidence that this is the right place to build and invest for the long-term.
AAI: Wolf Creek’s “failure” is brought up often by citizens when discussing this project. How do they differ and how would the micro-reactor be more beneficial?
Brasel: Wolf Creek has a long history of safe operations. The primary difference is Deep Fision’s reactor is located a mile underground, which provides inherent safety and containment.
Editor’s note: The Wolf Creek Generating Station was commissioned on Sept. 3, 1985. Incidents with the facility include: Jan. 13, 2012, a three hour loss of power and an automatic reactor trip was caused by a breaker failure and loss of power to an electrical transformer.
In 2013, there were noted air conditioning failures which temporarily shut down the plant.
In 2014, there was a fire, which damaged a backup generator. According to Wolf Creek no radiation was released during or after the fire, and the plant continued to operate at full capacity during and after the generator was repaired.
In 2016, the plant shut down unexpectedly, due to cooling in the cooling system inside the containment area; no radiation was released.
In 2017, the site was the target of unsuccessful cyber attacks.
Currently, the John Redmond Reservoir that serves the generating station is filling with sediment, which could impact the facility’s long-term operations.
In 2023, the plant decreased generating capacity to 60% temporarily due to storm damage to multiple power lines between the facility and Wichita.
There have been some electrocution deaths that have occurred at the facility in early years of operation, including well-documented ones occurring on Oct. 14, 1987, Sept. 13, 1988. The plant is licensed for operation through 2045.
AAI: Chief Executive Officer Liz Muller wants the public to have the ability to invest in this project, thus benefit from it?
Brasel: By becoming a public company, we give everyday investors — not just large private firms, or ultrawealthy individuals — the opportunity to participate in the potential growth of this project and piece of history.
We believe this is an important moment for American energy innovation. It shouldn’t take place behind closed doors or be limited to a small group of insiders. Going public allows for greater transparency and gives more people the opportunity to follow our progress, understand what we’re building and if they choose — invest in it.
Public stakeholder meetings are now expected to begin in March. Further information concerning the Deep Fission project will be included in the Parsons Sun as it becomes available.
