Corps of Engineers to host public meetings regarding SM-1A deactivated nuclear power plant

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
Published July 15, 2024
sm-1a

Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers teams join Fort Greely Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Keith Marshall for a site tour of the former SM-1A Nuclear Power Plant on Fort Greely, Alaska, October 23, 2023. The Radiological Health Physics Regional Center of Expertise (RCX), based at Baltimore District, provides radiation safety and technical support to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies at home and abroad and will begin the decommissioning and dismantlement of SM-1A in 2024.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, will host a series of in-person and virtual public meetings to update and share information on the SM-1A Deactivated Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning and Dismantlement project at Fort Greely, Alaska, this month. Baltimore District staff overseeing the project will review recently completed project milestones, including information that will impact future work at the site with respect to health and safety, engineering, and waste operations.

Meeting info is as follows:

• July 30, 5:30-6:30 p.m. local time at Aurora Community Activity Center, CAC Multipurpose Room B, 2020 Robin Road Bldg. 500, Fort Greely, AK 99731

• July 31, 6-8 p.m. local time at Delta Junction Community Center, 2287 Deborah St, Delta Junction, AK 99731

Public meetings consist of a presentation from the team and an open Q&A session. All meetings will be virtually accessible. Virtual meeting information will be published on the SM-1A website upon availability.

Designed as a first-of-its-kind power plant, SM-1A was part of the mid-century Army Nuclear Power Program and built to test the likelihood of engaging a nuclear power source in arctic conditions while providing power and heat for the utility systems of Fort Greely. In doing so, it allowed for the study of the economics behind such a power source, a significant departure from the typical oil-fired systems engaged in the remote areas of the region.


Now, after sitting in safe storage since shutdown in 1972, the final decommissioning and dismantlement efforts began late last year, following the completed contract award at an estimated value of $95.5 million to APTIM-Amentum Alaska Decommissioning, LLC. The project is expected to conclude in 2029.

Baltimore District teams are part of the Radiological Health Physics Regional Center of Expertise (RCX), based at Baltimore District. RCX provides radiation safety and technical support to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies at home and abroad for projects involving all aspects of radiological work, with a focus on health and safety.

Credentialed members of the media who are interested in attending the public meetings must RSVP to Cynthia.M.Mitchell@usace.army.mil by July 26.

For additional information on SM-1A, including stakeholder updates and project history, visit the project’s webpage at https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/SM-1A.

Additional Information

Baltimore District delivers vital engineering solutions in collaboration with its partners to serve and strengthen the Nation, energize the economy, and reduce disaster risks. Headquartered near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Baltimore District provides design, engineering, construction, environmental, and real estate expertise to various important projects and customers. This support spans five states, the District of Columbia, overseas, and the Susquehanna, Potomac, and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. These civil and military missions and diverse engineering services support communities and warfighters while addressing the ever-growing list of emerging national security requirements and ultimately protecting the Nation.

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Contact
Cynthia Mitchell
443-240-5019 (cell)
Cynthia.M.Mitchell@usace.army.mil

Release no. 24-016