Axios: Why DOD is eager to use advanced nuclear reactors

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Jeff Waksman has been around long enough to know that nuclear research projects often begin and end with flashy news conferences.

Why it matters: Waksman — acting assistant Army secretary for installations, energy and environment — tells Axios he's working behind the scenes to show why President Trump's nuclear ambitions are achievable using military sites.

• Waksman is charged with carrying out White House executive orders that lean on the Defense Department, in collaboration with the Energy Department, to license its own reactors.

The big picture: Waksman said the Pentagon is eager to host reactors given its massive power demand and ability to pay a premium for reliable power.

• Military sites currently rely on fossil fuels for round-the-clock off-grid power. But they can store only so much fuel and keep it safe from enemy attacks, he said.
• "We would love to have another technology that could provide power for months or years at a time without needing to be refueled," Waksman said.
• The military has a record of developing new technology, including the country's first commercial nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania: "The DOD is simply much better at moving fast," he said.

Zoom in: The DOD will seek to tackle what Waksman calls nuclear's highest hurdle: building reactors on a reasonable schedule that ultimately brings down costs.

• And because the current U.S. nuclear supply chain is designed for naval reactors, the supply chain will need to be rebuilt.
• The Army will use materials and suppliers that have already been validated as much as possible, he said.

Between the lines: Waksman said Congress could provide clarity on how far the DOD's legal authority extends to license reactors that send power to the broader grid.

• Rep. Pat Harrigan, who's working on NDAA nuclear language, told Axios that military bases could annex nearby property to house data centers or other customers of the base's nuclear reactor.
• That would free up grid capacity without crossing into NRC jurisdiction.'
• Other situations "might take a little bit more work and from Congress specifically, but I think we can get there either way," Harrigan said.

What's next: Waksman said he hopes to have an announcement within a "few months" but wouldn't commit to an exact date.