Microreactors and the Army's Nuclear Gamble The US Army's plan to install nuclear microreactors at five of its bases has sparked both excitement and concern among industry insiders, environmentalists, and safety advocates.
While proponents hail these small reactors as a game changer for energy independence, critics warn that they'll come with significant costs – and potentially catastrophic risks.
On the surface, the Army's decision to award $2. 2 billion in contracts to five companies to build and operate microreactors appears to be a pragmatic response to the need for reliable baseload power.