# A Say on 5 Megawatts at Eielson, Until September 30th > You have until September 30th to comment on site work for a 5 megawatt microreactor near wetlands at Eielson Air Force Base. Published 2026-09-28 by Alaska AI. 9 slides. Canonical: https://alaskaaihq.com/archive/2026-09-28/ ## The story The public gets a say on 5 megawatts at Eielson. A reactor site, east of the runway's south end. The Air Force wants public input on work at the preferred site for a 5 megawatt Oklo microreactor, near Spruce Lake. It sits near wetlands, so federal law requires the ask first. Clear it, dig it, fill it, level it. That is the preconstruction work Air Force officials describe. Their wetland delineation for a draft Environmental Assessment finished in July. KUAC reports the draft is expected late next year. Oklo would own it. The Air Force would buy the power. It would supply the base electricity and heat. A 30-year fixed-price contract could follow a Nuclear Regulatory Commission license. Officials hope for 2030, if only an assessment is needed. Same base. A second process. Five spots near Eielson, offered to developers. The Air Force solicitation covered land at JBER, Eielson and Clear, about 4,700 acres in all. Proposals were due June 29th. KUAC reported no project awarded as of mid-September. 5 megawatts, against a 100 megawatt bar. Separate processes, shown for scale. Nothing in the record says the reactor would serve a data center. "we are not able to support them because of an insecure energy base at this time" Chugach Electric and Golden Valley Electric told ADN in May that they can't produce enough electricity for large data centers as Cook Inlet gas dwindles. Comment by September 30th. ## What we verified - Oklo said it was issued a Notice of Intent to Award by Defense Logistics Agency Energy on behalf of the Department of the Air Force for the Eielson project. [Oklo Inc.](https://oklo.com/newsroom/news-details/2025/Oklo-Selected-as-Intended-Awardee-to-Provide-Clean-Reliable-Power-to-Eielson-Air-Force-Base-in-Alaska/default.aspx), primary document, 2025-06-11. - Under the intended award, Oklo would design, construct, own and operate the plant and supply electricity and heat to Eielson under a long-term power purchase agreement. [Oklo Inc.](https://oklo.com/newsroom/news-details/2025/Oklo-Selected-as-Intended-Awardee-to-Provide-Clean-Reliable-Power-to-Eielson-Air-Force-Base-in-Alaska/default.aspx), primary document, 2025-06-11. - Oklo describes the Eielson project as the Department of the Air Force's microreactor pilot. [Oklo Inc.](https://oklo.com/newsroom/news-details/2025/Oklo-Selected-as-Intended-Awardee-to-Provide-Clean-Reliable-Power-to-Eielson-Air-Force-Base-in-Alaska/default.aspx), primary document, 2025-06-11. - Oklo submitted a combined license application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for its Aurora reactor at Idaho National Laboratory on March 11th, 2020. [U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission](https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/large-lwr/col/aurora-oklo/documents), primary document, 2020-03-11. - The NRC denied Oklo's Aurora combined license application for failure to supply information on January 6th, 2022. [U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission](https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/large-lwr/col/aurora-oklo/documents), primary document, 2022-01-06. - The NRC accepted Oklo's Aurora application for review on June 5th, 2020. [U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission](https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/large-lwr/col/aurora-oklo/documents), primary document, 2020-06-05. - The Air Force solicitation covers AI data center development at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base and Clear Space Force Station. [HigherGov mirror of SAM.gov notice AFCEC-26-R-0006 (Department of the Air Force)](https://www.highergov.com/contract-opportunity/rflp-artificial-intelligence-ai-data-center-deve-afcec-26-r-0006-o-db695/), primary document, 2026-04-10. - The Air Force AI data center lease solicitation is numbered AFCEC-26-R-0006. [HigherGov mirror of SAM.gov notice AFCEC-26-R-0006 (Department of the Air Force)](https://www.highergov.com/contract-opportunity/rflp-artificial-intelligence-ai-data-center-deve-afcec-26-r-0006-o-db695/), primary document, 2026-04-10. - The AI data center lease solicitation was posted on April 10th. [HigherGov mirror of SAM.gov notice AFCEC-26-R-0006 (Department of the Air Force)](https://www.highergov.com/contract-opportunity/rflp-artificial-intelligence-ai-data-center-deve-afcec-26-r-0006-o-db695/), primary document, 2026-04-10. - Proposals for the AI data center leases were due June 29th at 5 p.m. Eastern. [HigherGov mirror of SAM.gov notice AFCEC-26-R-0006 (Department of the Air Force)](https://www.highergov.com/contract-opportunity/rflp-artificial-intelligence-ai-data-center-deve-afcec-26-r-0006-o-db695/), primary document, 2026-04-10. - The original proposal deadline was May 29th before it was extended to June 29th. [HigherGov mirror of SAM.gov notice AFCEC-26-R-0006 (Department of the Air Force)](https://www.highergov.com/contract-opportunity/rflp-artificial-intelligence-ai-data-center-deve-afcec-26-r-0006-o-db695/), primary document, 2026-04-10. - The AI data center lease solicitation was set to archive on July 14th. [HigherGov mirror of SAM.gov notice AFCEC-26-R-0006 (Department of the Air Force)](https://www.highergov.com/contract-opportunity/rflp-artificial-intelligence-ai-data-center-deve-afcec-26-r-0006-o-db695/), primary document, 2026-04-10. - The Air Force issued the data center request as a Request for Lease Proposal to lease underutilized land at fair market value under 10 U.S.C. 2667. [HigherGov mirror of SAM.gov notice AFCEC-26-R-0006 (Department of the Air Force)](https://www.highergov.com/contract-opportunity/rflp-artificial-intelligence-ai-data-center-deve-afcec-26-r-0006-o-db695/), primary document, 2026-04-10. - Executive Order 14318 counts a data center as a qualifying project when its sponsor commits at least $500 million in capital expenditures. [Federal Register via govinfo.gov (Executive Order 14318)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-28/html/2025-14212.htm), primary document, 2025-07-28. - Executive Order 14318 also counts a data center as a qualifying project when it adds more than 100 megawatts of new electric load. [Federal Register via govinfo.gov (Executive Order 14318)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-28/html/2025-14212.htm), primary document, 2025-07-28. - Rep. Nick Begich introduced the DATA Act of 2026 as the House companion to Senate legislation led by Sen. Tom Cotton. [Office of Rep. Nick Begich](https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-begich-leads-legislation-lower-energy-costs-introduces-house), primary document, 2026-04-21. - Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas joined Begich in introducing the House DATA Act. [Office of Rep. Nick Begich](https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-begich-leads-legislation-lower-energy-costs-introduces-house), primary document, 2026-04-21. - Begich said the DATA Act lets manufacturers run on fully self-contained grid-of-one power systems so households don't subsidize massive new energy demand. [Office of Rep. Nick Begich](https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-begich-leads-legislation-lower-energy-costs-introduces-house), primary document, 2026-04-21. - The Air Force is asking for public input on a plan to begin work in an area of Eielson Air Force Base where a small nuclear reactor would be located. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - Public comments on the Eielson microreactor site must reach the Eielson Public Affairs Office no later than September 30th. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - Comments can be emailed to 354fw.pa.publicaffairs@us.af.mil. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - Comments can be mailed to 354 Broadway St., Suite 15A, Eielson AFB, AK 99702-2299. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - The Air Force's preferred microreactor site is near wetlands, so federal law requires the agency to ask for public comment first. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - The site is near Spruce Lake, east of the south end of the Eielson main runway, according to Air Force officials. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - Air Force officials say preconstruction work would include vegetation clearing, soil excavation, and filling and grading to level the site. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - Air Force officials said site data gathering for the draft Environmental Assessment, including wetland delineation, was completed in July. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - According to KUAC, the Air Force expects the draft Environmental Assessment to be available to the public late next year. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - Air Force officials anticipate the microreactor project will not require a full Environmental Impact Statement. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - If only a draft Environmental Assessment is needed, Air Force officials hope to have the microreactor built and operational in 2030. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - The Eielson microreactor would be rated at 5 megawatts. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - Eielson would be the first U.S. military installation powered at least partly by a microreactor if the project proceeds as planned. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - KUAC reports the microreactor would provide backup electricity and heat for Eielson. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - KUAC reports that a 20 megawatt coal-fired heat and power plant has supplied Eielson since the 1950s. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - Air and Space Forces Magazine reported that the existing Eielson coal-fired plant has a maximum capacity of 23 megawatts. [Air and Space Forces Magazine (David Roza)](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-microreactor-eielson-alaska/), report, 2025-06-12. - The Air Force could award Oklo a 30 year firm fixed price contract for the Eielson power. [World Nuclear News](https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/oklo-named-to-supply-microreactor-for-alaska-airbase), report, 2025-06-13. - The contract award to Oklo would come only after a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is obtained. [World Nuclear News](https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/oklo-named-to-supply-microreactor-for-alaska-airbase), report, 2025-06-13. - Under the plan, Oklo will own the reactor while the Air Force buys the power it generates. [Air and Space Forces Magazine (David Roza)](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-microreactor-eielson-alaska/), report, 2025-06-12. - Defense Logistics Agency Energy selected Oklo, a California nuclear technology firm, for the Eielson microreactor on behalf of the Air Force. [KUAC (Tim Ellis)](https://fm.kuac.org/sustainability/2026-09-20/air-force-asks-for-public-input-on-proposed-eielson-microreactor-site), report, 2026-09-20. - In 2025 Deputy Assistant Secretary Balkus told Air and Space Forces Magazine she hoped the Eielson reactor would be complete before 2030. [Air and Space Forces Magazine (David Roza)](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-microreactor-eielson-alaska/), report, 2025-06-12. - The military has offered to lease about 4,700 acres of government land in Alaska to private companies for data centers. [KUAC via Alaska Public Media (Shelby Herbert)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-09-15/forget-jets-and-helicopters-data-centers-could-be-alaska-military-towns-next-noisy-neighbors), report, 2026-09-15. - As of mid-September no Alaska military data center projects had been awarded. [KUAC via Alaska Public Media (Shelby Herbert)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-09-15/forget-jets-and-helicopters-data-centers-could-be-alaska-military-towns-next-noisy-neighbors), report, 2026-09-15. - KUAC reports the Pentagon wants up to a dozen new military data centers near Anchorage, Healy and Fairbanks. [KUAC via Alaska Public Media (Shelby Herbert)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-09-15/forget-jets-and-helicopters-data-centers-could-be-alaska-military-towns-next-noisy-neighbors), report, 2026-09-15. - The Air Force invited private companies to build AI data centers at 12 locations across Alaska. [Association of Defense Communities](https://defensecommunities.org/2026/04/alaska-bases-to-house-12-new-data-centers/), report, 2026-04-28. - The lease solicitation identifies five potential data center spots in the Eielson area. [Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (Jack Barnwell)](https://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/proposed-air-force-data-center-land-leases-raise-some-concerns/article_98cbed0c-6574-464a-8097-c054c46cb699.html), report, 2026-06-11. - According to a resident quoted by the News-Miner, one proposed parcel is less than a mile from North Pole Middle School. [Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (Jack Barnwell)](https://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/proposed-air-force-data-center-land-leases-raise-some-concerns/article_98cbed0c-6574-464a-8097-c054c46cb699.html), report, 2026-06-11. - The three Eielson-area parcels outside the base fence line connect to the Golden Valley Electric Association grid. [Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (Jack Barnwell)](https://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/proposed-air-force-data-center-land-leases-raise-some-concerns/article_98cbed0c-6574-464a-8097-c054c46cb699.html), report, 2026-06-11. - A Salcha resident raised concern about data center heat affecting surrounding permafrost. [Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (Jack Barnwell)](https://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/proposed-air-force-data-center-land-leases-raise-some-concerns/article_98cbed0c-6574-464a-8097-c054c46cb699.html), report, 2026-06-11. - Salcha resident Sarah Hollister told KUAC that the 24/7 hum of a data center shows the country has lost its way. [KUAC via Alaska Public Media (Shelby Herbert)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-09-15/forget-jets-and-helicopters-data-centers-could-be-alaska-military-towns-next-noisy-neighbors), report, 2026-09-15. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski told KUAC she is not a proponent of data centers at JBER or Interior installations because Alaska's energy base is insecure. [KUAC via Alaska Public Media (Shelby Herbert)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-09-15/forget-jets-and-helicopters-data-centers-could-be-alaska-military-towns-next-noisy-neighbors), report, 2026-09-15. - The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly is calling for a data center moratorium but can't direct the Pentagon on military land. [KUAC via Alaska Public Media (Shelby Herbert)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-09-15/forget-jets-and-helicopters-data-centers-could-be-alaska-military-towns-next-noisy-neighbors), report, 2026-09-15. - An Air Force spokesperson said data center contractors will be required to show how they would reduce impacts and risk to surrounding communities. [KUAC via Alaska Public Media (Shelby Herbert)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/alaska-desk/2026-09-15/forget-jets-and-helicopters-data-centers-could-be-alaska-military-towns-next-noisy-neighbors), report, 2026-09-15. - Chugach Electric and Golden Valley Electric told ADN that with Cook Inlet gas dwindling they can't produce enough electricity for large data centers. [Anchorage Daily News (Alex DeMarban)](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/military/2026/05/05/the-military-wants-to-host-data-centers-in-alaska-raising-questions-about-whether-theres-enough-gas-to-power-them/), report, 2026-05-05. - The Alaska Current reports the DATA Act would let data centers run their own energy grids separate from regular utilities. [The Alaska Current (Matt Acuna Buxton)](https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/09/25/bill-hill-data-centers/), report, 2026-09-25. - Independent congressional candidate Bill Hill joined other independents in Washington on Thursday, September 24th, to call on Congress to return and tackle data centers. [The Alaska Current (Matt Acuna Buxton)](https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/09/25/bill-hill-data-centers/), report, 2026-09-25. - Hill spoke from Capitol Hill alongside Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborn and North Dakota Senate candidate Brian Bengs. [The Alaska Current (Matt Acuna Buxton)](https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/09/25/bill-hill-data-centers/), report, 2026-09-25. - Hill said gasoline in his hometown costs nearly $9 a gallon. [The Alaska Current (Matt Acuna Buxton)](https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/09/25/bill-hill-data-centers/), report, 2026-09-25. - Hill said some outlying communities are going to pay $15 a gallon for heating fuel. [The Alaska Current (Matt Acuna Buxton)](https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/09/25/bill-hill-data-centers/), report, 2026-09-25. - If approved, the University of Alaska's draft AI policy would require all three campuses to have an AI plan for students, faculty and staff. [KTOO (Jamie Diep)](https://www.ktoo.org/2026/09/16/university-of-alaska-regents-consider-draft-ai-policy/), report, 2026-09-16. - University of Alaska leadership plans to submit a finalized AI policy draft for approval at the November regents meeting. [KTOO (Jamie Diep)](https://www.ktoo.org/2026/09/16/university-of-alaska-regents-consider-draft-ai-policy/), report, 2026-09-16. - UA chief information technology officer Ben Shier asked how the university ensures data privacy and protection and provides monitoring. [Alaska Public Media (Jamie Diep)](https://alaskapublic.org/news/education/2026-09-18/university-of-alaska-regents-consider-draft-ai-policy), report, 2026-09-18. - As of mid-September the university had not scheduled dates for student listening sessions on the AI policy. [KTOO (Jamie Diep)](https://www.ktoo.org/2026/09/16/university-of-alaska-regents-consider-draft-ai-policy/), report, 2026-09-16. - The University of Alaska Statewide AI Symposium ran September 25th to 27th at the ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building in Anchorage. [Alaska Business](https://www.akbizmag.com/alaska-events/university-of-alaska-statewide-ai-symposium/), report, 2026-09-28. Slides and the deck PDF are linked from the canonical page.