Texas oilman funds advanced nuclear startup at Christian college

What happened

Doug Robison, a third-generation Texas oilman, donated $3.2 million（約5.1億円） to Abilene Christian University's Nuclear Energy Experimental Testing lab after hearing a pitch on molten-salt reactors. He later founded Natura Resources, converting a defunct organic farming company shell into a next-gen nuclear startup. Natura plans to bring its first test reactor (MSR-1) online in 2028 in Abilene, and a 100-megawatt commercial reactor by 2032 in West Texas' Permian Basin or near Texas A&M.

Why it matters

The startup is developing molten-salt reactors that do not operate under pressure and contain nuclear fuel in liquid salt, making them safer for siting near populated areas. Robison argues the reactor's levelized cost of electricity could be competitive with natural gas without subsidies, addressing the growing power demands of AI data centers. The Permian Basin location also allows the reactor's waste heat to be used for desalinating water, tackling a regional problem with polluted oil and gas extraction water.

What to watch

Natura joined the Trump administration's Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program but is not among the three companies that announced criticality successes by July 4. The startup has partnered with Teledyne Brown Engineering in Alabama for commercial reactor construction and Zachry Nuclear for on-site design and construction. More than 150 researchers from ACU, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and the Georgia Institute of Technology are involved in the effort.