Nuclear x Texas Convenes Industry Titans, Key Texas Decision-Makers and Technology Pioneers Dedicated to Texas’ Nuclear Future
AUSTIN, Texas (March 10, 2025) – Nuclear x Texas (NxTX) 2025 yesterday united Texas leaders, policymakers and regulators with leaders in nuclear, energy, finance, technology development and academia, all coming together to express their shared commitment to advancing nuclear solutions for Texas.
Hosted by the Texas Nuclear Alliance (TNA), NxTX was held concurrently with the 89th Texas Legislature and SxSW Conference and highlighted collaboration, innovation, and advocacy in nuclear energy development in Texas.
“Texas is poised to serve as the nation’s premier hub for nuclear reactor development and deployment so long as we position our state to do so with smart policies and regulations,” said TNA President Reed Clay.
The event featured four expert-led panels focused on nuclear energy’s critical intersections with industries such as finance, data, oil and gas, and water.
“Texas is experiencing a tremendous increase in electricity demand, lawmakers have a laser focus on the state’s water resources, and Texas is positioning itself as the leader in emerging technologies while taking steps to remain the global leader in oil and gas. In all of these vital sectors, the tremendous promise nuclear offers is becoming more and more obvious and clear,” Clay continued.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has stressed the need for more power generation and charged members of the 89th Texas Legislature—who have already filed several pieces of significant legislation dedicated to nuclear energy—to explore nuclear’s potential, stating it’s “time for Texas to lead a nuclear power renaissance in the United States.”
Following the NxTX 2025 event, key leaders in the nuclear industry and the Texas Legislature were hosted by Governor Abbott at a reception, where the Governor reiterated the State of Texas’ commitment to partnering with industry and working together to ensure passage of advanced nuclear legislation, saying he wants Texas’ legislation to be considered the model and premiere legislation in the United States for advancing the next generation of nuclear power and technology for a more reliable, stable, and prosperous future.
NxTX 2025 Panelists
Jeff Merrifield, Global Energy Section Leader and Partner, Pillsbury | former presidential appointee to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Rod Chaplin, CEO of REPLOY Power | CEO of Pathfinder Energy Developments
Simon Irish, CEO of Terrestrial Energy
Mason Emnett, SVP, Public Policy at Constellation
Tim Williamson, Director of Regulatory and Public Relations, Shepherd Power
John Portillo, Vice President of Global New Nuclear, Paragon Energy Solutions
James Jackson, President, Resilience Energy
Nick Touran, Manager, Digital Engineering at TerraPower | Founder of Whatisnuclear.com
Matt McVicar, VP of Government Relations, Rolls Royce
Jon Czas, Partner, Quanterra Holdings
Ashleigh Myers, Environmental & Natural Resources Partner, Pillsbury
Jack Backes, Principal Strategist for Data Center Development, Provident
Jimmy Glotfelty, Former PUCT Commissioner
Will McAdams, Former PUCT Commissioner
Barbara Canales, CEO of Bluewater Renewables | Former Nueces County Judge
Reed Clay, President, Texas Nuclear Alliance
NxTX 2025 Sponsors
Constellation
Shepherd Power
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Terrestrial Energy
Paragon Energy Solutions
REPLOY Power
Resilience Energy
Quanterra Holdings
Anthropocene Institute
American Conservation Coalition
About the Texas Nuclear Alliance
The Texas Nuclear Alliance is the only industry association in Texas dedicated to the advancement of nuclear technology in the state. TNA was formed with a singular mission: to make Texas the Nuclear Capital of the World. Formed in 2022 in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri, TNA is based on the fundamental premise that if Texas and the world want low-carbon, reliable energy, it can no longer turn its back on nuclear energy. Nuclear is clean, safe, reliable, and secure.
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