Fort Drum microreactor plan draws criticism over cost and security
A nuclear security professor has raised concerns about the cost and potential security risks of a planned 20-megawatt microreactor at Fort Drum, while Army officials say the reactor will be shielded and will not overheat.
A planned 20-megawatt microreactor at Fort Drum is facing criticism from Alan Kuperman, a University of Texas at Austin professor and coordinator of the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Project. Kuperman said the project’s potential risks and costs outweigh its benefits and questioned the use of $2.2 billion for the Janus Program investment.
Army officials said the reactor would operate alongside the electric grid, would not require external power and would shut itself off during an emergency. Jeff Waksman, the Army’s deputy assistant secretary for energy and sustainability, said the reactor would have shielding similar to tank armor. Army officials also said there is no risk of overheating.
This story was written from a community submission and reviewed by a ClickNNY editor before publication.