By NANCY J. BALKUS, P.E., SES
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment)
Dear Tribes and Tribal Members,
My name is Nancy Balkus, and I serve as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Energy, and the Environment. I am deeply honored to be included in this newsletter and want to share some information about Air Force energy initiatives within Alaska.
I strive to make our national security bases resilient by pursuing safe, reliable, and efficient energy sources suited to the environmental realities and mission needs for each location. To this end, my office is exploring the option of advanced nuclear technology at Eielson Air Force Base.
The Air Force is working closely with the Defense Logistics Agency to select a third-party developer who would license, own, and operate a micro-reactor on Eielson Air Force Base. The Air Force would purchase the carbon pollution-free electricity generated to supplement the base’s existing coal-fired power plant.
This technology is different from traditional nuclear plants; it is compact, operates independently from the grid, and has multi-layered safety features. The design will undergo rigorous environmental and safety reviews over the next several years including multiple opportunities for public comment well before a decision is made on implementation. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will conduct an independent environmental and safety review for the proposed construction and operation of the facility.
Our goal is for this project to demonstrate a safe and reliable energy alternative at Eielson Air Force Base and to create an advanced nuclear energy pathway, which can be utilized for potential future applications of similar technology within Alaska, including Alaska Native communities.
The Air Force is sensitive to the history of nuclear technology in Alaska and the impact on communities. We are dedicated to ensuring your voices are heard and understood throughout the program. My intent is to pursue a continuous dialogue throughout the Eielson project and beyond.
My team is committed to consistently sharing up to date information and providing accessible forums for feedback. Information and updates can be found on the Eielson Air Force Base website.
We look forward to continued communication throughout this process to gain your input, perspectives, and concerns regarding this project. Please contact the Eielson Air Force Base, Installation Tribal Liaison Officer, Alexa Greene, at (907) 377-4500 or alexa.greene@us.af.mil with any comments or concerns.
Sincerely,
NANCY J. BALKUS, P.E., SES
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment)