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Regional defense update: Heart of Texas Defense Alliance briefs council on small modular reactors, Fort Hood leases and I‑14 expansion
Summary
Keith Sledd told Copperas Cove council about the Army's 'Project Janice' small modular reactors, potential enhanced‑use leases at Fort Hood that could host AI data centers, and the I‑14 corridor expansion; staff said funding and construction remain years away.
Keith Sledd, executive director of the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance, briefed the council on regional defense-related infrastructure and planning.
Sledd described 'Project Janice,' a U.S. Army program to field small modular reactors (SMRs) of roughly 20 megawatts as backup power at select military installations. "The 20 megawatt reactors are about the size of a semi truck," Sledd said. He explained SMRs are intended to provide resilient backup power for prime-power sites and critical facilities and noted several designs and vendors are competing.
Sledd also discussed "enhanced-use leases" the Army is exploring at Fort Hood, where the installation identified several parcels (including 124 acres and 207 acres along Highway 9 and other sites) that could be leased for development in return for payment or services to the installation. He said potential uses include AI data centers and other private development, but emphasized the process is lengthy and not federally funded: "It's a drawn out process... we don't know if anybody is interested in leasing these."
On transportation, Sledd noted the I‑14 expansion segment that would reach toward Copperas Cove is out for public comment and remains years away from design and construction; he said there is currently no committed construction funding.
Sledd summarized recent federal developments affecting the region, including NDAA measures that would increase military pay and benefits and include provisions on 'right to repair' and funding for vehicle maintenance facilities. He also reported a modest increase in assigned troops at Fort Hood and cautioned that site selections and RFPs related to SMRs and enhanced‑use leases could evolve in 2026.
Council members asked clarifying questions about potential impacts on local land swaps and whether enhanced‑use leases would preclude other actions; Sledd said existing congressional provisions would need amendment for some changes and that the process is undecided.
What happens next: Sledd said RFP activity and formal site selections could occur in 2026; the council and staff will monitor developments related to SMR siting, enhanced‑use leases and the I‑14 planning process.
