Federal regulators recently green-lighted a small nuclear reactor at Abilene Christian University. This development could signal a path forward for a cleaner nuclear energy future in Texas. Nuclear costs for larger facilities are still prohibitive, but this small reactor could be an ideal testing ground for future commercial uses at a larger scale.
This is exactly the cautious approach we suggested in a previous editorial. ACU’s NEXT Lab and Abilene-based nuclear company Natura Resources will build the reactor that could power the equivalent of about 250 homes on campus. It is expected to go live in 2025.
Last week’s announcement also reflects that momentum is building for nuclear energy in Texas. A task force put together by the Public Utility Commission will report its findings in December to Gov. Greg Abbott, just before the next legislative session. Doug Robison, founder and president of Natura Resources, is a member of this task force.
Our state produces as much energy as it consumes from an all-of-the-above portfolio that includes a mix of renewables and fossil fuels as well as nuclear power. This demand will only continue to grow as tens of thousands of residents move to our state each month and energy-intensive industries like crypto mining take deeper root in Texas. Extreme weather is also adding to our energy needs.
Opinion
Right now, nuclear accounts for about 10% of the energy produced in our state, but it has enormous potential as it can produce massive amounts of dispatchable power. Developing this energy source in a way that makes sense economically will take several years if not decades.
Stephen Perkins, chief operating officer of the American Conservation Coalition, a conservative organization focusing on environmental solutions, acknowledges that the Legislature can help speed things up and allow the state to take a leading position.
Education should be part of this nuclear strategy, particularly on the safety of newer technology. The word “nuclear” can still make people uneasy with echoes of horrifying accidents in the 20th century, including the Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania in 1979.
The newer reactors are smaller, cleaner and safer. The ACU reactor will use molten salt for cooling with lower pressure. These reactors have safety mechanisms that can drain the molten salt in case of overheating, to prevent a meltdown.
Another concern is spent nuclear fuel, which now can be safely stored on-site at nuclear power plants, Perkins told us. Also, France is well-advanced in its plans to recycle nuclear fuel.
If our state wants to continue enjoying energy independence, the long-term plan should include nuclear energy. Approaching it from a research facility in a testing environment is the right way to explore and learn more about its potential and future use.
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Publish date : 2024-09-24 20:00:00
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