Texas has long been an energy powerhouse, but the grid is facing unprecedented challenges. Between surging demand from industrial electrification, hotter summers, and data centers and the retirement of aging power plants, we need more advanced firm power sources and we need them fast.

In this episode of the Energy Capital Podcast, I sat down with Doug Robison, the founder and president of Natura Resources and former oil and gas executive, and Rusty Towell, founding director for Abilene Christian University's premiere research project called the NEXT (Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing) Lab. Natura, in partnership with ACU, is pioneering molten salt reactors, a next-generation nuclear technology that promises higher efficiency, greater safety, and the ability to scale quickly.

Unlike traditional nuclear plants, which operate at high pressure and require massive containment structures, molten salt reactors run at low pressure, eliminating many of the risks and cost barriers that have made nuclear difficult to scale in the past. As Doug puts it, “Remove pressure, and everything changes.”

That’s exactly what Natura is doing in Abilene, where their first 1 MW test reactor is set to go online by 2026-2027 — only the second advanced research reactor ever licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This small-scale demonstration is designed to prove the technology and pave the way for full-scale commercial deployment around 2030.

But nuclear isn’t just about electricity, it’s about heat. These reactors operate at twice the temperature of conventional nuclear plants, making them ideal for industrial applications. Texas is a perfect fit for this technology, not just because of its growing energy demand, but because it has the infrastructure, workforce, and industrial needs to scale it rapidly.

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was how capital, not regulation, has become the biggest bottleneck. The NRC has already issued Natura a construction permit, and the policy landscape is shifting, with bipartisan support at both the federal and state levels for advanced nuclear. However, deploying reactors at scale requires massive investment and as Doug Robison points out, that shift is only just beginning.

With demand projections skyrocketing, from AI data centers to large-scale industrial growth to cooling load in increasingly hotter summers, Texas will need every tool available to ensure affordable, reliable, and clean energy. The question isn’t whether nuclear will play a role, it’s how fast we can get there.

This is one of the most exciting energy conversations I’ve had, and it’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand how nuclear could reshape Texas’ energy landscape.

As always, please like, share, and leave a five-star review wherever you listen to podcasts. Your support helps bring these critical energy conversations to more people.

Timestamps

* 00:00 - Introduction

* 02:30 - Natura’s technology, what’s different about a molten salt reactor from the typical high pressure reactors

* 08:00 - Timeline to deployments, milestones met so far

* 13:00 - Use cases and modularity, size of deployments

* 18:30 - Policy in nuclear development & comparative advantages of Texas

* 25:00 - Learning curves and cost reductions for nuclear

* 31:00 - Exploring molten salt reactor technology with flexibility & scalability

* 36:00 - Nuclear’s role in the future of energy demand in Texas

* 38:30 - Policy support for nuclear energy

* 43:00 - The role of utilities in nuclear energy, and the differences in competitive markets

* 47:30 - The Role of subsidies for nuclear energy

* 50:00 - The need for incentives and support from DOE’s Loan Program Office

* 54:30 - Abilene: A new energy hub

* 56:00 - Natura’s mission to improve quality of life, increase energy abundance

* 58:30 - Transferability of skills from oil & gas to nuclear, why Landman gives the wrong impression

* 1:00:00 - NEXT Lab and the first advanced reactor at a university, it’s in Abilene and it’s really happening. see below:

Shownotes

Speakers, Key Projects, and Developments:

* Doug Robison - LinkedIn,

* Rusty Towell - Linkedin, ACU Website, NRC Website,

* Natura Resources Official Website: Explore more about their projects and technological advancements.

* Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSR-1) at Abilene Christian University (ACU): The first liquid salt-fueled reactor licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), marking a significant milestone in advanced nuclear research.

* Natura Resources' Initiatives: There are two new initiatives, a MSR-100 energy production reactor on the RELLIS Campus at Texas A&M University and an MSR reactor for energy and desalination on the Texas Tech campus.

* Texas A&M University Part of Groundbreaking Molten Salt Reactor Project

* Texas Tech Partners with Natura, ACU to Advance Cutting-Edge Technology

* Updated pathway to Advanced Nuclear Commercial Liftoff. US DOE Loan Programs Office.

* Nuclear? Perhaps! David Roberts’ Volts Podcast.

Licensing, Regulatory Framework, and Legislative Updates:

* NRC Advanced Reactor Licensing: The NRC has issued new guidance to facilitate the licensing process for non-light water reactor designs, aiming to reduce regulatory uncertainty for advanced reactor concepts.

* DOE's Support for Advanced Reactor Licensing: Initiatives to offset licensing costs and support the deployment of advanced reactors.

* Proposed Rule for Advanced Reactors: The NRC plans to establish a risk-informed, performance-based, and technology-inclusive licensing process for advanced reactors, aiming for a more flexible regulatory framework. ​

* House Bill 14 (HB 14): Establishes funding mechanisms within the Office of the Governor and the Texas Public Utility Commission to support the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors in Texas.

* Senate Bill 1105 (SB 1105): Proposes the establishment of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Authority and the appointment of a Texas nuclear permitting officer to streamline nuclear energy projects.

* House Bill 2678 (HB 2678): Identical to SB 1105, this bill also aims to establish the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Authority and a nuclear permitting officer

Recent News:

* Companies are coming to Texas to develop a new generation of nuclear reactors. Texas Tribune.

* CERAweek: Small nuclear power struggles at cusp of US electricity demand boom. Reuters.

* Tech Industry Engagement: Companies like Google and Amazon are investing in SMRs, signaling a potential shift in energy infrastructure to support data centers and other high-demand sectors. ​

* Google and Amazon make major inroads with SMRs to bring nuclear energy to data centers