U.S. Military Wants To Put Remains Of Nuclear Plant In Delta Landfill

NOVEMBER 22, 2023 

In February, 2022, as Copper Valley Electric announced it was exploring the idea of putting a miniature nuclear power plant in the Copper River-Valdez area, something very different was occurring up north. At the very same time, 150 miles from Glennallen, on the Richardson Highway, the Army Corps of Engineers announced that it would finally dismantle the only nuclear plant that ever operated in Alaska – at Fort Greely in Delta Junction.

The Fort Greely plant was built in 1960-1962. According to Wikipedia it was designed to provide both heat and electricity for the base. It was shut down in 1972 when it was determined to be too expensive to run. The reactive core was removed and sent to the Savannah River nuclear site. in 2022, the Army Corps of Engineers said the old building would be dismantled and the remaining materials that had been buried would be disposed of. The Army Corps of Engineers said it would take 6 years. 

Delta City Website 

WASTE IN DELTA LANDFILL? 

Alaska Public Media reported on November 22nd, 2023 that although "most" radioactive components and fuel were taken from the plant after its 1972 shutdown, "other less-radioactive components were entombed on-site." The waste is "encased in a mixture of soil, grout and concrete," according to the Alaska Public Media story. 

According to Alaska Public Media the military has approached the City of Delta Junction to ask if they can dump material in the rural agricultural community's local landfill.

Read The Alaska Public Media Story From KUAC Fairbanks Here: 

Army studies disposing Fort Greely reactor materials at Delta Junction landfill

By

 Tim Ellis, KUAC - Fairbanks

 - 

November 22, 2023