In Alaska, Energy is not just a commodity, it's a lifeline. In 2022, Alaskan's energy bills were 33% higher than the national average. Now, think of the rural villages' cost of electricity, nearly 200 remote communities relying on expensive diesel fuel, Alaska faces an uphill battle for energy security and affordability. The state's dependence on fossil fuels, coupled with the growing threat of climate change and the urgent need for energy security, demand a new energy solution, and with that there may be a solution. Microreactors.

So microreactors are to put it short are a scaled-down version of traditional nuclear power plants, there seem to be many other designs from different companies coming out. They generate electricity through nuclear fission but on a much smaller and more manageable scale. Unlike their larger counterparts, microreactors are designed for portability and ease of deployment. They can be factory-built and transported to remote locations, offering a potential solution to the logistical challenges faced by Alaska's isolated communities. It can produce up to 20 megawatts of thermal energy, which can be utilized to produce power and heat for industrial uses, either as part of a microgrid or independently of the electrical grid. These could power living areas for years or even decades.

There were talks in 2023 that discussed instilling the first microreactor here in Alaska on an Airforce base—the Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks. The Department of Defense, in a surprising turn of events, revoked the initial contract award to Oklo Inc. The company selected to build the microreactor. They cited the need for further evaluation of contracting regulations, throwing a wrench into the project's timeline and raising questions about the future of microreactor development in Alaska.

However, Alaska, and the Dunleavy administration have been taking steps to simplify the implementation of microreactors in Alaska. With Senate Bill 177, signed into law in 2022, which removed the requirement for legislative designation of land for microreactor projects and empowered local communities to have greater control over siting decisions. Dunleavy said this about power, "I want all Alaskans to have access to 10 cent power by 2030. These regulations lay the groundwork to help accomplish that goal." This is an ambitious goal, and microreactors most definitely can have a play in this, with being low cost, and low emission.

Now, it's a fact that Alaska wants to bring down its co2 emissions; overall, Alaska is the 5th highest in the nation for per capita. The state has a goal to generate 50% of its electricity for renewable energy sources, although it is non-binding. So Alaska does have the goal of wanting to reach energy sustainability, through thermal, wind, solar, or hydro powered means, but 50% is a large gap, which doesn't seem likely. But this is where microreactors enter the equation as a potential game-changer. While not technically classified as "renewable," microreactors offer a carbon-free energy solution that could significantly contribute to Alaska's emission reduction goals. Their ability to provide a stable baseload power source, unlike the intermittency of wind and solar, makes them an attractive option for bridging the gap towards a cleaner energy future.

Microreactors, if implemented into Alaska's energy situation, offer a potential solution to the state's unique challenges of high energy costs, dependence on fossil fuels, and the urgent need for cleaner and more reliable energy sources. While the road to widespread adoption may have its bumps, as evidenced by the recent setback at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska's commitment to streamlining regulations, community engagement, and pursuing sustainability goals creates fertile ground for this technology to flourish. The idea of affordable, accessible, and clean energy for all Alaskans, championed by Governor Dunleavy, may well find its answer in the power of the atom, used responsibly and sustainably through the surfacing of microreactors. Whether or not microreactors become a key factor of Alaska's energy future remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the state is venturing into a new frontier, wanting to bring cheaper, more reliable, and more sustainable energy for all Alaskans, and this seems to be the case of the Dunleavy Administration, and many other supporters of this new technology.