BRYAN, Texas (February 4, 2025) –Texas Nuclear Alliance (TNA) President Reed Clay today joined Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Chancellor John Sharp, TAMUS Vice Chancellor for Research Dr. Joe Elabd and State Representatives Greg Bonnen and Cody Harris to acknowledge the four corporate partners selected to construct nuclear small modular reactors at the university’s RELLIS campus.
This groundbreaking partnership between TAMUS and TNA Founding Members Kairos Power, Natura Resources, Terrestrial Energy and Aalo Atomics was prompted by TAMUS’ announcement last summer to introduce advanced nuclear reactors at its RELLIS campus, followed by a request for proposals to make this effort possible.
“RELLIS offers an important platform for nuclear innovation, and Texas Nuclear Alliance Founding Members’ cutting-edge technologies will make a tremendous difference for our energy future,” said TNA President Reed Clay. “As Texas continues to seek ways to bolster our grid, we need look no further than nuclear energy to help satisfy our growing demand with affordable, reliable power.”
“Plain and simple: the United States needs more power,” TAMUS Chancellor Sharp said. “And nowhere in the country, other than Texas, is anyone willing to step up and build the power plants we need. Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Greg Abbott and others in Texas state government, Texas A&M System stands ready to step up and do what is necessary for the country to thrive.”
Today’s celebration comes on the heels of Governor Abbott charging the 89th Texas Legislature to help Texas “lead a nuclear power renaissance” during his State of the State address on Sunday.
“Texas is leading the U.S. nuclear revival, and the Texas A&M University System is the tip of the spear,” said Texas State Rep. Cody Harris, who serves as the Vice Chair of the Texas House Nuclear Caucus. “There’s no question that Texas’s leadership on nuclear will revolutionize the energy landscape in our state, the United States and the world. TAMUS’s nuclear testbed is a huge step forward.”
“TAMUS’ nuclear testbed provides the nuclear industry an incredible opportunity to reduce the timeline for bringing safe, reliable small modular reactors to Texas and the rest of the world. It demonstrates yet again that Texas is — and will remain — the energy capital of the world,” said Texas State Rep. Greg Bonnen.
Mike Laufer, co-founder and CEO of Kairos Power, said his company could bring one or more commercial deployments to the site. He added that the surging demand for clean electricity has brought nuclear energy to the forefront of the national discussion as a vital source of reliable, carbon-free energy: “We are excited about the momentum for new nuclear deployment at Texas A&M-RELLIS and its potential to support U.S. energy security and continued economic growth. We look forward to collaborating with the Texas A&M System to advance Kairos Power’s clean energy mission and play a new role in developing the nation’s future nuclear workforce.”
Douglass Robison, the founder and CEO of Natura Resources, said that the Texas A&M System has been an integral partner over the past five years, collaborating with the company to develop the Natura MSR-1 demonstration system. “We are thrilled to continue this partnership with the Texas A&M System to deploy our commercial system, the Natura MSR-100, on the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus,” Robison said. “We plan to showcase how our technology can address the energy needs of Texas and the nation.”
Simon Irish, CEO of Terrestrial Energy, said his hope for the partnership is to develop Integral Molten Salt Reactor, or IMSR, technology at the site in Bryan. “Our partnership with Texas A&M at its RELLIS campus is an important strategic relationship, which showcases the commercial potential of our small modular power plant and its advanced nuclear technology,” Irish said. “Siting an IMSR plant at the RELLIS campus leverages Texas A&M’s world-class research and nuclear engineering capabilities; provides a source of clean, firm electricity for the local grid (ERCOT); and positions Texas as a leader in America’s nuclear technology sector.”
Matt Loszak, co-founder and CEO, Aalo Atomics, said his company could build up to six Aalo Pods at the site. “We are excited to partner with an innovation leader like the Texas A&M System, and to jointly help shape the future of energy while creating opportunities for research, education, and the Texas economy,” Loszak said. “This collaboration is a pivotal step for Aalo as it provides us with a platform to demonstrate the potential of our factory mass-manufactured nuclear technology to deliver reliable, clean energy that will ultimately power the next generation of data centers and AI infrastructure.”
The event concluded with Q&A and an opportunity to explore the RELLIS campus. To watch the full video of the press conference, visit https://www.tamus.edu/nuclear/.
About the Texas Nuclear Alliance
TNA 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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Media Contact
Lauren Clay
Lauren@TexasNuclearAlliance.org