Tuesday, May 6, 2025

What is the status of nuclear energy in the Lone Star State?

Happy Tuesday! 

By now you probably realize we like energy and an update.  We blogged about the nuclear energy starting to catch on in Texas back last November and well, it’s in the news again with a little update on the progress it is making in the Lone Star State!

Did anyone happen to read The Houston Chronicle’s Fuel Fix Newsletter on May 5, 2025, their article titled, “Texas looks to apply ‘shale revolution’ lessons to nuclear energy”?  In the article, it speaks on the progress it has made since the release of the nuclear group’s report to the governor.   A couple of the suggestions the report made was to establish an agency to help bring nuclear energy to Texas, and fund needs to be created to help encourage companies to build in Texas.  The Texas House and Senate has added to the agenda a few bills which align with the report’s suggestions to help bring nuclear energy to Texas.  House Bill 14 would establish the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office which would be part of the Executive branch, its budget would be approximately $2 billion, and it would be headed by a state coordinator.  The Texas House adopted House Bill 14, and it has moved to the Texas Senate’s Committee on Business and Commerce.  Another bill there is a version in both chambers, and it is Senate Bill 1105 and House Bill 2678 both create the Texas Advanced Nuclear Authority office which would be in charge of permitting and creating an Advanced Nuclear Innovation Fund.  The Texas House has drafted a constitutional amendment to establish the Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund.  The Texas Legislature is working hard on progressing these bills.

One of the companies which Texas A&M picked to build a nuclear SMR on its Rellis Campus was in the article with an update.  Natura Resources has progressed its project at Abilene Christian University (ACU) by receiving its Nuclear Regulatory Commission construction permit, and the joint project is completing its design phase for the Molten Salt Research Reactor.  Natura Resources has partnered with ACU, Texas Tech, and Texas Produced Water Consortium to possibly help them with power they need for their water desalination system project in West Texas.  Well, it looks like their SMR is progressing in Texas and we wish them luck in bring more power to Texas.  If you would like to read more of The Houston Chronicle’s article, please click the link: Nuclear energy could power produced water treatment plants.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently, safely, and with less of a carbon footprint or just find out what is underneath your feet to help with your emission reduction goals, contact us via email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening and keep dry!

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read The Houston Chronicle’s article. **