The PUCT’s Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group has released a report (PDF) on legislative recommendations and items to consider in the nuclear power industry across the state. The report highlights seven key legislative recommendations:
- Texas Advanced Nuclear Authority – A non-regulatory entity to coordinate Texas’ strategic nuclear vision, implement ANR policy recommendations, and manage potential funds and oversight of state nuclear incentive programs.
- Texas Nuclear Permitting Officer – A single point of contact for advanced nuclear reactor developers and associated businesses to navigate permitting.
- Workforce Development Program for Community Colleges and Universities Coordination – plan between workforce, education, and industry to support a homegrown nuclear workforce in Texas capable of meeting ANR industry and Texas energy demand.
- Texas Advanced Manufacturing Institute – Designed to develop and foster a nuclear ecosystem in Texas.
- Texas Nuclear Public Outreach Program – A communications and public engagement plan to inform and educate Texans about the benefits of advanced nuclear power and reactor development.
- Texas Nuclear Energy and Supply Chain Fund – A direct grant cost-sharing program to incentivize early development and siting, and support supply chain and manufacturing capacity readiness.
- Texas Nuclear Energy Fund – An appropriation to a fund, modelled after the existing Texas Energy Fund, explicitly for advanced nuclear power to overcome the funding valley project developers face in Texas.
The report also covers other nuclear topics for consideration, including costs and incentives for nuclear power, regulatory issues for non-ERCOT utilities, and potentially expanding Texas’ ability to permit and site nuclear facilities.
Governor Abbott also released a statement highlighting the work of the Working Group. For more details and conclusions, see the full report here (PDF).
