Nuclear energy in the U.S. is undergoing a revival – Small modular reactors are ‘small, affordable, safe, dispatchable, clean energy’
https://www.foxbusiness.com/energy/nuclear-energy-undergoing-revival-united-states
By Aislinn Murphy
Nuclear energy in the United States is undergoing a revival.
FOX Business correspondent Jeff Flock, reporting Wednesday from the site of a planned Natura Resources small modular nuclear reactor in Texas, said the U.S. has a “voracious appetite for energy” that nuclear reactors can help meet.
Natura Resources, founded by Doug Robinson, is developing molten salt reactors, a type of advanced small nuclear reactor. Its molten salt research reactor at Abilene Christian University in west-central Texas is scheduled to go live in just a couple of years.
Small modular reactors are “small, affordable, safe, dispatchable, clean energy that we can put anywhere we need it,” Robinson told Flock.
Artificial intelligence (AI) brought attention to America’s growing need for more power, according to the Natura Resources founder and president.
“AI is, I call it the shark fin above the water,” he said. “The need for power, demand for power increase, was always there.”
A report released in December by GridStrategies forecast a 15.8% jump in electricity demand for the U.S. by 2029. Data centers, manufacturing and electrification will be major drivers of that increase, the report said.
AI technology relies on data centers.
Earlier this month, a separate International Energy Administration report found that data center electricity consumption in the U.S. will see a 130% jump from 2024 to 2030.
amid Trump’s push for domestic manufacturing
The agencies that used to be weaponized are now working for the citizens, GOP lawmaker says
The agencies that used to be weaponized are now working for the citizens, GOP lawmaker says
Trump represents a ‘profound reshaping,’ Newt Gingrich says
Trump represents a ‘profound reshaping,’ Newt Gingrich says
Larry Kudlow: The economy is strong and growing at 3%
Larry Kudlow: The economy is strong and growing at 3%
Trump says these tax cuts would be retroactive, NEC director says
Trump says these tax cuts would be retroactive, NEC director says
The Paramount-Skydance merger shouldn’t face any holdup, expert says
The Paramount-Skydance merger shouldn’t face any holdup, expert says
Whoever controls AI will be the most dominant: Charles Payne
Whoever controls AI will be the most dominant: Charles Payne
Trump is bringing the American dream of home ownership back: Bill Pulte
Trump is bringing the American dream of home ownership back: Bill Pulte
Wall Street overreacted to the first Trump GDP report, economist says
Wall Street overreacted to the first Trump GDP report, economist says
GOP rep says there’s a positive realignment from Trump’s trade policies
GOP rep says there’s a positive realignment from Trump’s trade policies
Charles Payne breaks down ‘real GDP’ after a tidal wave of data
Charles Payne breaks down ‘real GDP’ after a tidal wave of data
White House eyes training for skilled trades to help boost manufacturing
White House eyes training for skilled trades to help boost manufacturing
Demand for skilled trades will skyrocket in next 8 years, government predicts
Demand for skilled trades will skyrocket in next 8 years, government predicts
Trump has delivered ‘every single promise’: Mehek Cooke
Trump has delivered ‘every single promise’: Mehek Cooke
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chair on potential trade deal with US: ‘We’re very confident’
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chair on potential trade deal with US: ‘We’re very confident’
Bernie Sanders’ ‘Medicare for All’ estimated to cost $32 trillion in 10 years
Bernie Sanders’ ‘Medicare for All’ estimated to cost $32 trillion in 10 years
There is a shift in US foreign policy to ‘American realism’, GOP senator says
There is a shift in US foreign policy to ‘American realism’, GOP senator says
Shipments from Asia will drop by more than 35% amid US-China trade battle, Port of Los Angeles chief warns
Shipments from Asia will drop by more than 35% amid US-China trade battle, Port of Los Angeles chief warns
Trump tariffs are about bringing back jobs to the auto industry, UAW member says
Trump tariffs are about bringing back jobs to the auto industry, UAW member says
Rep. Jason Smith on tax bill: Everyone will receive a tax cut
Rep. Jason Smith on tax bill: Everyone will receive a tax cut
Energy in America Published April 30, 2025 6:00am EDT
Nuclear energy undergoing revival in United States
Natura Resources founder says small modular reactors are ‘small, affordable, safe, dispatchable, clean energy’
Facebook
Twitter
.
Print
Email
By Aislinn Murphy FOXBusiness
Exec advocates for small modular nuclear reactors
FOX Business’ Jeff Flock speaks to Natura Resources founder and President Doug Robison about the resurgence of nuclear energy on ‘Mornings with Maria.’
Nuclear energy in the United States is undergoing a revival.
FOX Business correspondent Jeff Flock, reporting Wednesday from the site of a planned Natura Resources small modular nuclear reactor in Texas, said the U.S. has a “voracious appetite for energy” that nuclear reactors can help meet.
Natura Resources, founded by Doug Robinson, is developing molten salt reactors, a type of advanced small nuclear reactor. Its molten salt research reactor at Abilene Christian University in west-central Texas is scheduled to go live in just a couple of years.
Small modular reactors are “small, affordable, safe, dispatchable, clean energy that we can put anywhere we need it,” Robinson told Flock.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO HERE
Artificial intelligence (AI) brought attention to America’s growing need for more power, according to the Natura Resources founder and president.
“AI is, I call it the shark fin above the water,” he said. “The need for power, demand for power increase, was always there.”
A report released in December by GridStrategies forecast a 15.8% jump in electricity demand for the U.S. by 2029. Data centers, manufacturing and electrification will be major drivers of that increase, the report said.
AI technology relies on data centers.
ASHBURN, VA – MAY 9: People walk through the hallways at Equinix Data Center in Ashburn, Virginia, on May 9, 2024. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
People walk the hallways at the Equinix Data Center in Ashburn, Va., on May 9, 2024. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for the Washington Post via Getty Images)
Earlier this month, a separate International Energy Administration report found that data center electricity consumption in the U.S. will see a 130% jump from 2024 to 2030.
Robinson told Flock there are “two projects that have construction permits from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission” for advanced nuclear reactors.
“We are one of those,” he said.
“We’re standing in the only advanced reactor facility in the nation,” Robinson added during the interview. “So we are moving toward construction of this reactor with our commercial reactors running parallel.”
Numerous states have taken action in recent years to explore the potential of advanced nuclear reactors or to take steps to pave the way for them in the future amid growing interest in the technology.
STATES LOOK TO SMALLER ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTORS FOR POWER NEEDS
Twenty-five states took “pro-nuclear” action in some form last year, according to a January report from the Nuclear Energy Institute.
Some traditional nuclear reactors are slated to reopen in the coming years.
For example, Constellation announced in September that it had inked a 20-year electricity purchase agreement with Microsoft that will “pave the way” for Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 reactor to start back up in Pennsylvania.
More recently, in April, Holtec International received a third loan disbursement worth $46.7 million allocated for its future reopening of Michigan’s Palisades Nuclear Plant from the Department of Energy. Its second loan disbursement of nearly $56.8 million had previously been released in mid-March.
Nuclear energy accounted for roughly 18% of America’s power in 2024, according to the DOE.