The Army has chosen Fort Drum in New York’s Jefferson County as one of nine bases to be evaluated for an advanced small-scale nuclear power plant, Army officials announced today.
The Army’s plan is to have commercial companies build nuclear plants capable of producing up to 20 megawatts to provide power at military installations. A traditional nuclear plant, by contrast, generates about 500 to 1,300 megawatts.
The effort is referred to as the Janus Program.
Final decisions have yet to be made about which of the sites will get new nukes, but Army officials said they intend to choose as many sites as possible.
“The Army is committed to maximizing the number of sites based on technical feasibility, site suitability, and available resources,’’ the news release said.
The other eight sites are: Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Holston Army Ammunition Plant in Tennessee; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; and Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.
The Army’s initiative at Fort Drum coincides with Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to develop at least 1,000 megawatts of new nuclear capacity in New York by no later than 2040. The state power authority is currently soliciting proposals from developers.
The Army’s initiative is likely to move ahead quickly compared with past nuclear developments.
President Trump signed four executive orders in May aimed at advancing nuclear power. Among other provisions, the president ordered military officials to collaborate with the Department of Energy to install a reactor at a military installation and begin operations by 2028.
Unlike nuclear operators who sell power in commercial markets, the military is not required to obtain a license to operate from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
In their news release, military officials said they will welcome feedback from host communities as the Janus Program proceeds.
“The Army is committed to providing transparent information throughout the planning process and welcomes public engagement and feedback,’’ the release said.
State and national lawmakers from Upstate New York have lobbied for at least a year for Fort Drum’s selection.
Fort Drum had its own power supply until 2023, when the owners of a wood-burning power plant that supplied the base shut the plant down after failing to win renewed state subsidies. Since then, the base has drawn power from the statewide electric grid, said Assemblyman Scott Gray, R- Watertown.
“Today’s development is a strong signal of confidence in Fort Drum, the surrounding region and communities that have worked to position themselves for this opportunity,’’ Gray said in a prepared statement. ”The momentum behind advanced nuclear development is real, and Fort Drum is well-situated to lead.”
Officials at Fort Drum could not be reached immediately for comment.
Home to the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum has about 15,000 soldiers and 3,700 civilian workers.
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19 Comments
Curious how commercial companies will design these small plants. Any updates on potential bidders?
Haven’t heard specifics yet, but the likes of NuScale or Rolls-Royce SMR might be in the running.
20 megawatts is a drop in the bucket compared to traditional plants, but it could still be a game-changer for base-level energy demands.
Exactly, it’s about local resilience and reducing reliance on the grid.
Nine bases under consideration—wonder which ones will ultimately be chosen and what the timeline looks like.
The Army’s targeting multiple sites, so they probably have a few in the pipeline for different stages of development.
Skeptical about the safety and long-term costs of these small-scale plants. Has the Army addressed potential concerns?
The Army likely vetted this thoroughly, but transparency would help ease public concerns.
If this program succeeds, it could redefine military energy strategy for decades to come.
Definitely, and perhaps inspire similar projects in other countries.
Nuclear energy has advantages, but the political and public perception hurdles remain significant.
True, but military projects might have an easier path than civilian ones.
Small modular reactors could be a big step forward for both military and civilian energy independence.
Absolutely, and with fewer regulatory hurdles, deployment could accelerate.
Fort Drum’s selection aligns with New York’s broader nuclear goals. Could this be a model for civilian use as well?
Possibly, if the technology proves scalable and cost-effective, private companies might follow suit.
Interesting to see the Army exploring small nuclear plants for military bases. Wonder how this compares to renewable energy options?
Do you think this signals a shift in energy strategy for the Pentagon?
Renewables have different strengths, but nuclear could provide consistent baseload power, which might be critical for military needs.