Military

Pentagon resumes development of small Eielson nuclear power plant

KUAC | By Tim Ellis

Published June 12, 2025 at 3:04 PM AKDT

The microreactor that the Defense Department wants to site at Eielson is a small, self-contained system that can be transported by truck, like this one manufactured by Virginia HolosGen. — The microreactor that the Defense Department wants to site at Eielson is a small, self-contained system that can be transported by truck, similar to this one manufactured by Virginia-based HolosGen.

Air Force, Defense Logistics Agency announce intention to award contract for compact 5-megawatt microreactor

Pentagon officials have revived a proposal to develop a small nuclear power plant on Eielson Air Force Base.

The Defense Logistics Agency and the Air Force jointly announced Tuesday that the agencies intend to award a contract to California-based Oklo Incorporated to develop a microreactor at Eielson to generate backup electricity.

If Oklo is ultimately selected as the contractor that will develop a microreactor at Eielson, it would be housed in a structure similar this artist's rendering.

A Defense Logistics Agency spokesperson said in an email today that officials with the agency’s Energy Office and the Air Force decided on May 30 to issue a notice of their intent to award the contract.

An Air Force news release issued Wednesday called it a “critical milestone” to advance contracting process. It says Eielson was the preferred location for the 5-megawatt pilot project. At least two other sites also have been under consideration.

The release said if Oklo ultimately if awarded the contract, it would be required to “site, develop, and operate a licensed microreactor facility at an installation selected for site exploration.”

The Defense Logistics Agency spokesperson said the contract would be awarded after the Department of the Air Force and Nuclear Regulatory Commission completes an environmental analysis for the project.

The spokesperson added that the process will involve public meetings and coordination, and that the documentation will be available to the public.

The announcement comes 2-and-a-half years after the Defense agency’s Energy Office revoked an earlier decision to issue a Notice of Intent to Award the contract to Oklo. Agency officials said that was done to review the decision and to resolve a contract protest.

The federal law that required the Defense Department to develop the micronuclear pilot project, the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, requires the facility to be operational by the end of 2027.

Defense Department officials say the microreactor contractor would generate revenue by selling the power it generates to the Air Force.

Editor's note: This story has been revised and updated.