The Pentagon said Wednesday it selected Antares Nuclear Inc. of Torrance, Calif., to build a prototype nuclear microreactor on the base as part of its Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations program.
Sources said several sites across JBSA are under consideration for the reactor, which the company said could be operational by 2029. Though some other microreactor projects are on the drawing board across the state, it could be the first reactor built in Texas in 33 years.
JBSA has “critical and essential missions that require certainty in their power source,” said Bexar County Commissioner Grant Moody, chair of the county’s Military Transformation Task Force, which helped with the deal. “That is addressed with this nuclear microreactor but, beyond that, this gives us and CPS an opportunity to really explore the possibility for commercial nuclear production and leveraging this micro reactor into something bigger for our community over the mid to long term.”
CPS Energy is San Antonio’s city-owned utility.
Government efforts to grow the nation’s nuclear industry have accelerated under President Donald Trump, who signed four executive orders last year to speed up regulatory approvals, expand testing, develop a domestic supply chain and called for reactors on installations to strengthen national security.
JBSA and CPS have been working for years to strengthen the grid against threats from natural disasters or attacks.
“By integrating advanced nuclear technology, we are not just keeping the lights on; we are guaranteeing that our most critical national security missions will never be held at risk by a power outage,” said Michael Borders, the Air Force’s assistant secretary for Energy, Installations and Environment. “This is a pivotal moment for the Department of the Air Force.”
According to Antares, the JBSA reactor will be a “sodium heat pipe-cooled microreactor using robust tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel” that will be able to go years between refueling and won’t require a connection to the commercial grid or special infrastructure.
“We’re grateful and proud to partner with Joint Base San Antonio, the Department of the Air Force, and the Defense Innovation Unit,” said Jordan Bramble, CEO and founder of Antares, in a statement. “We built this company to deliver resilient power for missions like this.”
In addition to JBSA, the Defense Innovation Unit, which is the military’s tech accelerator, also selected Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, and Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, for microreactors. The service is also developing a reactor at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, as part of a different program.
Separately, the Army is considering nine of its bases, including Fort Hood, for microreactors under its Janus Program.
JBSA hasn’t commented on the announcement.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.