Texas takes giant steps toward nuclear energy dominance

 Last week, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp announced that Texas A&M has become the nation's largest nuclear engineering research department, surpassing even the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

• Texas A&M is offering land near its RELLIS Innovation and Technology campus in Bryan, Texas, for several nuclear reactor companies to build small modular reactors (SMRs).

• Sharp emphasized the need for more power in the U. S. and highlighted Texas as the only state willing to develop necessary power plants.

• Companies including Kairos Power, Natura Resources, Terrestrial Energy, and Aalo Atomics will collaborate with Texas A&M on a project called “The Energy Proving Ground” to build and test nuclear technologies in the next five years.

• The RELLIS campus is identified as the country's first appropriate site for reactor manufacturers, aligning with power needs for sectors like artificial intelligence and data centers.

• Texas A&M aims to support the U. S. in advancing nuclear power, backed by the leadership of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

• Governor Abbott previously released a report from the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group, which aims to establish Texas as a leader in advanced nuclear power.

• The report indicated that advanced reactors could enhance energy security, support various industries, and promote job creation.

• The deployment of SMRs in Texas could contribute over $50 billion in economic development and $27 billion in wages by 2055.

• The Working Group's recommendations include creating a Texas Advanced Nuclear Authority, a Texas Nuclear Permitting Officer, workforce programs, and public outreach initiatives.

The Texas A&M System is already working with the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to expedite the process of deploying reactors. Companies are planning to develop various reactor systems at the RELLIS campus. Additionally, a related project at Abilene Christian University will build a nuclear reactor aimed at producing carbon-free energy and desalinating water. Governor Abbott believes using advanced nuclear energy will strengthen Texas's energy reliability. Although Texas is leading in this area, Tennessee is also making strides to attract nuclear energy investments, posing a competitive challenge.

https://www.cfact.org/2025/02/16/texas-takes-giant-steps-toward-nuclear-energy-dominance/