Abbott extols importance of nuclear technology development in Texas economy

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott graced a moderated fireside discussion with Dow Chemical Chair and Chief Executive Officer Jim Fitterling and X-energy head Clay Sell at the University of Texas at Austin Aug. 16. This chat extolled the importance of nuclear technology development in the Texas economy, according to a news 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 in the release. “Very important to our state is how we use energy to generate power for our grid.”

Abbott said the Lone Star State continues to “massively” grow and generates more power than California and New York combined, the release reported. 

“We need more dispatchable power generation,” he added, according to 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, the release said.

“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 reported.

Approximately 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, according to the release. Abbott also announced a directive in which interim Public Utilities Commission of Texas 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.

"To maximize power grid reliability, the newly formed group will work to understand Texas’ role in deploying and using advanced nuclear reactors, consider all potential financial incentives available, determine nuclear-specific changes needed in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market, identify any federal or state regulatory hurdles to development and analyze how Texas can streamline and accelerate permitting for building advanced nuclear reactors," the release said.