Neighbors react to nuclear plan at Buckley Space Force base
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Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado. Photo: Robert Sanchez/Axios
Aurora residents soon could be living near a nuclear microreactor.
The big picture: Neighbors in the shadows of Buckley Space Force Base say the April announcement naming the base a preferred site for a nuclear project came without warning.
What we're hearing: Among a dozen residents who spoke to Axios, none said they knew a microreactor was under consideration at Buckley.
- Still, most said they favor the project.
- "It's the cost of living next to a military base," said Ruth Wilcox, 69, a 23-year Murphy Creek resident who can see the base from her neighborhood.
- "We need a grocery store and infrastructure improvements more than a reactor in our backyard," said Kevin Gibson, 44, who also lives in Murphy Creek and disapproves of the microreactor. "We already have the [Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site] landfill, so why do we need something else that could negatively impact our homes?"
Yes, but: That support comes with caveats.
- "Any time you're talking about nuclear, there's going to be a serious conversation about what that means," said Terry Hunt, a 45-year resident of the Lexington East neighborhood near Buckley.
Zoom out: Nuclear energy is having a moment.
- Federal officials are pushing to deploy small, advanced reactors to power critical infrastructure as threats to the grid grow — from cyberattacks to extreme weather.
- And Buckley isn't alone. Montana's Malmstrom Air Force Base could also get a microreactor.
Zoom in: At Buckley, the reactor would power systems tied to space surveillance and ground-based radar.
- The base is home to Space Delta 4, which manages missile warnings for the U.S. and its allies.
The intrigue: Microreactors are compact nuclear plants that can produce up to 20 megawatts of energy and operate independently from the commercial power grid.
- Unlike traditional, large-scale nuclear facilities, they're designed with built-in safety features to prevent a meltdown. They can run for long stretches between refueling, helping operations stay online even if the surrounding grid fails.
What to watch: Final approval for the microreactors depends on licensing and environmental reviews. There are no community meetings scheduled with Buckley's neighbors — yet.
- A Buckley spokesperson told Axios the project is "early in the process," but a discussion with neighbors is likely.
- The Department of the Air Force estimates the microreactor could be completed by 2030.
What they're saying: "Nuclear is happening, it's the future, and there's not much you can do about it," said Audrey Myers, 67, who lives in Murphy Creek.
- Homeowners' associations near Buckley did not respond to Axios' requests for comment.