FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/KTVF) – The military is looking at small nuclear reactors to power bases for decades to come, following discussions at the Alaska Defense Forum in Fairbanks last week.
The forum covered topics including infrastructure, housing, drones and energy, including nuclear energy.
Eielson reactor moves toward construction
The Air Force has already selected a micro-reactor for Eielson Air Force Base to add to its power supply.
“We are not displacing the coal demand that we have, we are going to be augmenting it” said Nancy Balkus, the deputy assistant secretary for Department of the Air Force. “We’re going to be demonstrating how this cutting-edge technology works on our installation and in our community, just like how it could operate in a tribal or another city community in the state of Alaska.”
Construction on the reactor is planned for 2028. The reactor could go online by 2030.
Army’s Project Janus expands elsewhere first
The Army’s “Project Janus” is a separate, larger push to put reactors on bases nationwide. This week, the Army named its first five sites. None of them are in Alaska.
“The others are under consideration, and we will be announcing more sites in the future.” said Jeff Waksman with the Department of the Army. Fort Wainwright was originally listed as a possible site in 2025.
Program could face limits if results fall short
Waksman said the project may see a short end if results don’t come through.
“It’s not a certainty that nuclear micro reactors are going to work, and if we reach 2030, and if it’s not been a success, then I can tell you — my reactors are never going to work,” Waksman said. “Just give up on them. It’s not going to happen.”
For now, Fort Wainwright waits in line, and Eielson presses ahead.
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