Abbott extols importance of nuclear technology development in Texas economy

Gov. Greg Abbott graced a moderated fireside discussion with Dow Chemical Chair and CEO Jim Fitterling and X-energy head Clay Sell at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) on Aug. 16, extolling the importance of nuclear technology development in the Texas economy, according to a press release.

“Texas is the energy capital of the world, but more important is what we are doing with that energy and what it means for our future in the state of Texas,” Abbott said, according to the release. “Very important to our state is how we use energy to generate power for our grid.”

The governor said that the Lone Star State continues to “massively” grow and generates more power than California and New York combined.

“We need more dispatchable power generation,” he said in the release. “One thing we are looking at with a keen eye is the ability to expand our capabilities with regard to nuclear-generated power."

The state is continuously supportive of advanced nuclear energy and the development of new technologies through investments in its numerous leading research institutions, according to the Office of the Texas Governor.

“These critical investments will help cement Texas as a top destination for all new technological developments, as well as train the workforce needed to draw more projects to the state,” the release said.

Per the governor’s office, 70 people attended the event, which was moderated by Dr. Dale Klein, a professor at UT’s Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering who once helmed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Abbott also announced that a directive in which interim Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUC) Chair Kathleen Jackson is to establish a working group to study and make recommendations as to how Texas could assume the position as the nation’s advanced nuclear energy leader.