HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — In a move signaling a potential shift in energy deployment strategies, the Pentagon and the Department of Energy successfully airlifted a small nuclear reactor from California to Utah on February 15th. This marks the first time the U.S. Military has transported a nuclear reactor by air, demonstrating the nation’s capacity for rapid deployment of nuclear power for both military and civilian applications. The 5-megawatt microreactor, transported via C-17 military aircraft, did not contain nuclear fuel during the flight.
The demonstration flight underscores the Trump administration’s push to expand nuclear energy production, particularly to meet the increasing power demands of artificial intelligence, data centers, and military operations. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Undersecretary of Defense Michael Duffey, who accompanied the reactor on its nearly 700-mile journey from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah, hailed the event as a significant step toward accelerating the commercial licensing of these microreactors. This initiative is part of a broader effort to reshape the country’s energy landscape, according to officials.
A Renewed Focus on Nuclear Energy
President Donald Trump has consistently voiced support for nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free energy source, even while expressing skepticism towards renewable energy and prioritizing fossil fuels like coal. The administration’s approach includes streamlining the approval process for advanced reactor designs. Last year, President Trump signed a series of executive orders granting Energy Secretary Wright the authority to approve certain advanced reactor designs and projects, a power traditionally held by the independent Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which has overseen the U.S. Nuclear industry for five decades.
“Today is history. A multi-megawatt, next-generation nuclear power plant is loaded in the C-17 behind us,” Wright stated prior to the flight. He anticipates that at least three microreactors will achieve “criticality” – the point at which a nuclear reaction becomes self-sustaining – by July 4th, fulfilling a promise made by President Trump. “That’s speed, that’s innovation, that’s the start of a nuclear renaissance,” Wright added.
Currently, the United States operates 94 operable nuclear reactors, generating approximately 19% of the nation’s electricity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This is a decrease from 104 reactors in 2013, though two new commercial reactors in Georgia represent the first large-scale reactors built from the ground up in a generation.
Microreactors: Portable Power for Diverse Applications
Recognizing the challenges associated with deploying large-scale nuclear reactors, the industry and government are increasingly focusing on smaller, more efficient designs, including small modular reactors proposed by entities like the Tennessee Valley Authority. Microreactors, designed for portability, are intended to provide resilient power to locations where it’s needed most, according to Duffey. These mobile reactors could potentially enhance energy security at military bases independent of the civilian power grid.
The demonstration flight, Duffey explained, “gets us closer to deploy nuclear power when and where it is needed to deliver our nation’s warfighters the tools to win in battle.” The reactor transported to Utah, produced by California startup Valar Atomics, is capable of generating up to 5 megawatts of electricity – enough to power approximately 5,000 homes, according to Isaiah Taylor, CEO of Valar Atomics. The company aims to initiate selling power on a test basis next year, with full commercial operation anticipated by 2028.
Although, the project has faced scrutiny. Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, characterized the demonstration flight as a “dog-and-pony show,” arguing that it primarily demonstrated the Pentagon’s logistical capabilities rather than addressing fundamental questions about the feasibility, safety, and economic viability of microreactors. Lyman told The Hill that the administration “hasn’t made the safety case” for the secure transport of these reactors, once fueled, to sensitive locations like data centers or military installations.
The administration is also addressing the issue of nuclear waste disposal, with the Energy Department reportedly in discussions with Utah and other states regarding potential sites for reprocessing or permanent disposal. The microreactor flown to Utah will undergo testing and evaluation at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab, with fuel provided by the Nevada National Security Site, according to Taylor.
“The answer to energy is always more,” Wright stated, adding that the administration is working to “set everything free” after what he described as four years of restrictions on fossil fuels. “And nuclear will be flying soon.”
The development and deployment of microreactors represent a significant undertaking with potential implications for both national security and energy independence. Further testing and evaluation, along with addressing safety and waste disposal concerns, will be crucial as the technology moves toward wider implementation. The coming months will be critical in determining the long-term viability of this new approach to nuclear power.
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