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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.

What are your thoughts on the future of microreactor technology? Share your comments below.

The U.S. National debt reached $38.51 trillion at the end of 2025, marking the highest level since the initial surge during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data released Friday. The debt grew by $2.30 trillion over the course of the year, a 6.3% increase, fueled by a rapid acceleration in borrowing following the resolution of the debt ceiling impasse in July.

The surge in debt occurred despite a period of economic growth, with current-dollar GDP increasing by 5.6% over the same period. However, the debt outpaced GDP growth, resulting in a rise in the debt-to-GDP ratio to 122.3% in the fourth quarter – the highest reading since the first quarter of 2021. This ratio, calculated by dividing the total Treasury debt by the annual rate of current-dollar GDP, provides a key indicator of the nation’s fiscal health.

The increase was particularly pronounced in the latter half of the year. After being constrained by the debt ceiling for six months, the government issued a “tsunami of debt” totaling $2.3 trillion, with $877 billion added in the final quarter alone. This rapid accumulation of debt reflects the government’s need to finance its operations and respond to economic pressures.

The $38.51 trillion in outstanding debt is comprised of approximately $28.84 trillion in Treasury securities traded on the market and $7.38 trillion held by government pension funds, including the Social Security Trust Fund. These internal holdings represent obligations to beneficiaries and are not subject to market fluctuations.

The rising debt-to-GDP ratio is a concern because it indicates a growing leverage for the government and a potentially increasing burden on the economy. While economic growth generates tax revenues needed to service the debt, a situation where debt grows faster than the economy can exacerbate the challenge. The current trend suggests that the U.S. Is facing a more leveraged fiscal position.

The U.S. Government sold $701 billion of Treasury securities this week, according to Wolf Street, including $160 billion in notes and bonds. Yields on these securities have seen slight fluctuations, with the 10-year Treasury yield at 4.177% and the 30-year yield at 4.750% at auction. The yield on the 13-week Treasury bill rose to 3.60%, suggesting the market does not anticipate a rate cut within the next three months.

Further analysis of the relationship between government interest payments, tax receipts, and the debt-to-GDP ratio is expected next month, building on data from the third quarter of 2025. The Treasury debt has spiked by 88% in the last seven years, reaching $38.74 trillion as of Friday.