Indiana Explores Small Modular Reactors for Industrial Base Load at the LEAP District

Governor Braun signed a non-binding letter of intent with Eli Lilly and Indiana's Office of Energy Development to evaluate deploying small modular nuclear reactors and other advanced nuclear technologies at the LEAP Research and Innovation District in Lebanon, Boone County, where Eli Lilly has announced more than $13 billion in investment across multiple drug manufacturing facilities. This is not a medical isotope play. The stated purpose is base load power for industrial, research, and community use.

The agreement puts Indiana's Office of Energy Development on point for policy, permitting, and grid siting coordination. Eli Lilly's role is to evaluate technologies, provide input on energy demand, and engage in long-term procurement discussions. Grid interconnection, infrastructure costs, scheduling, and project risks are all on the assessment list.

Indiana currently has no commercial nuclear plants, but this is not its first move in that direction. In November, the state partnered with reactor startup First American Nuclear, which plans to site its headquarters, manufacturing facilities, and a power plant in Indiana. On April 15th, First American Nuclear submitted its regulatory engagement plan for its Eagle One small fast spectrum reactor to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Watch for: updates from the Indiana Office of Energy Development on grid siting and interconnection assessments. Those documents will tell you how seriously this is moving and what the cost and timeline picture actually looks like.