Environmental Groups File FTC Complaint Over Utah’s Pro-Nuclear Energy Campaign

Salt Lake City, UT, August 17, 2026 —

A coalition of environmental organizations has lodged a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) targeting Utah’s $1.8 million state-funded campaign promoting nuclear energy. The groups, which include Downwinders, Inc., the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah, and Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, allege that the campaign employs deceptive and misleading messaging.

The complaint, announced during a news conference held at the Utah Capitol, focuses on specific claims made within the pro-nuclear energy initiative. Advocates cited examples such as comparing nuclear energy to being “cleaner than a candle” and stating that “nuclear plants emit less radiation than bananas.” According to the environmental groups, these comparisons downplay the inherent risks associated with nuclear energy, including the challenges of managing nuclear waste.

The filing represents a significant challenge to Utah’s efforts to advocate for nuclear power. The state’s campaign, backed by $1.8 million in funding, aims to present nuclear energy in a favorable light. However, the complainants argue that this presentation is fundamentally flawed and omits crucial information regarding potential dangers.

The specific details of the FTC’s review process and any potential next steps were not immediately available. The environmental groups involved have voiced concerns that the campaign’s narrative prioritizes promoting nuclear energy over providing a balanced and accurate depiction of its associated risks and complexities.

Story summarized from the original created by Katie McKellar on utahnewsdispatch.com, see more information here.

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