Niagara Leader

Oswego, New York - Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik have advocated for the installation of a small modular reactor (SMR) at Fort Drum. They addressed their proposal to Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth.

Mayor Sarah Compo Pierce expressed her support, stating, “As Mayor of the City of Watertown, I’m proud to express my support for Fort Drum’s nomination as the site for the Army’s first small modular reactor. Fort Drum is not only a cornerstone of national defense but also a vital partner to the North Country. We are grateful for the steadfast leadership of Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose unwavering advocacy for Fort Drum and its soldiers has been instrumental in securing resources and opportunities that strengthen both the installation and our community. Establishing a secure, independent power source at Fort Drum would not only enhance military readiness but also bring lasting benefits to Watertown and the North Country by boosting energy security and economic stability, and I am pleased to support this critical initiative.”

Michael McFadden, Executive Director of Advocate Drum, stated his organization’s support: “Advocate Drum stands firmly in support of Fort Drum being the initial location for the employment of an SMR as part of the Army’s Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations Plan. Energy independence is absolutely crucial to ensure Fort Drum remains the premier power projection platform for the United States military, and to enhance the combat readiness of the 10th Mountain Division.”

In their letter, Tenney and Stefanik emphasized that “Fort Drum stands out as an ideal location for an SMR due to the Army's unique ownership of the utilities and infrastructure on the installation. This ownership would simplify the deployment of an SMR, making it far easier compared to other locations where the Army does not control the utilities. Additionally, Fort Drum has a skilled workforce with significant experience in on-site energy generation, thanks to years of operating its biomass facility. The installation’s power demands, and extreme temperatures of the North Country would also offer valuable data for the SMR pilot program.”

They further noted that “Fort Drum also enjoys robust support from its surrounding community to host the small modular reactor. This significant investment in Upstate New York will provide Northeast’s power projection platform with independent and secure power, bolster U.S. energy security, and cement Fort Drum’s importance to modernization efforts of the Army.”