The Destructive Cycle of Nuclear Power in Alaska, From Uranium Mining to Power Generation and Weapons Testing, and Nuclear Waste

Alaska has a history of nuclear experimentation, including weapons testing on Amchitka Island in the Aleutian Archipelago, unrealized plans to create a deepwater port near Point Hope (the subject of the book Firecracker Boys by Dan O’Neill), a nuclear reactor operating at the Fort Greely military base near Delta Junction from 1962-1972, and uranium mining at the Ross-Adams Mine in Southeast Alaska. More recently, uranium exploration has taken place near Elim, Alaska on the Seward Peninsula. State legislation was passed last session that streamlines the permitting of small nuclear reactors dubbed as “micronukes” for use in rural communities and to power remote mining operations.

Governor Dunleavy’s Administration is moving forward with proposed regulations on the siting of “microreactors.” There are serious health and safety concerns with micronuclear reactors, and they are a false solution for our energy needs and the climate crisis.

On Wednesday, April 26^th at noon AKST, CHE-Alaska will be joined by Emily Murray of Elim and Dr. Edwyn Lyman with the Union of Concerned Scientists for a presentation on the impact of nuclear power on Alaskans and worldwide. Nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source and is touted as a safer alternative to power generation using fossil fuel. Our guests will discuss this claim from their own perspectives and research, including a presentation on the consequences of uranium mining and processing on environmental health, the disproportionate impact of uranium mining on Indigenous lands, risks associated with the operation of nuclear reactors, issues surrounding perpetual storage of spent nuclear fuels, and the ways in which nuclear power generation contributes to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Edwin Lyman and the Union of Concerned Scientists published a report on how “Advanced” Isn’t Always Better: Assessing the Safety. Security, and Environmental Impacts of Non-Light-Water Nuclear Reactors in response to the ‘new and improved’ nuclear reactors being proposed by the nuclear industry.

Alaska Community Action on Toxics has worked on nuclear power and weapons issues in Alaska since the organization’s inception in 1997.  This includes publication of two reports on the consequences of the Amchitka Island nuclear tests in the Aleutian Islands and an investigative report on the Fort Greely nuclear reactor.

CHE-Alaska is part of CHE’s broader network, which is an international partnership of almost 5,000 individuals and organizations in 87 countries and all 50 US states that are committed to addressing environmental impacts on human health across the lifespan.

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