Anticipating potential developments at the Naval Weapons Station, York County supervisors agreed Tuesday to study changing zoning rules to allow small nuclear reactors.
The weapons base, which supports the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, was one of seven Navy and Marine Corps bases identified by the Pentagon as potential candidates for a nuclear-based power supply to keep them operating in the event of power disruptions, bad weather or cyberattacks.
Last month President Donald Trump signed an executive order to accelerate the use of such reactors, particularly on military bases, by streamlining regulatory requirements and reducing licensing timelines.
Base commander Capt. Daniel A. Patrick is scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding with the president of Dominion Energy Friday morning to explore a variety of options to ensure reliable power to the base.
Those options include solar power and natural gas as well as the nuclear option, said Public Affairs Offic…