Texas lawmakers push for advanced nuclear deployment

Texas lawmakers have proposed a bill that promotes advanced nuclear deployment across the state.

House Bill 14, authored by Texas Rep. Cody Harris (R)., would create the Texas Advanced Nuclear Deployment Office and Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Program. Harris proposed $2 billion to fund the deployment office.

The state House’s State Affairs Committee passed the bill 10-1 and the committee report has been sent to the House Calendars Committee April 2.

The proposed deployment office would collaborate with taxpayers to create a public outreach program on advanced nuclear projects.

Along that line, the bill proposes an Advanced Nuclear Workforce Development Program to address employment and skill gaps in the advanced nuclear space.

“The Act will spearhead the transition to a balanced energy future by advancing innovative nuclear generation technologies while delivering safe, reliable, and clean energy solutions that address the state ’s growing demand,” as stated in the bill.

Texas, just like other states, expects an increased demand for electricity as outlined in a February 2025 Electric Reliability Council of Texas report.

In 2023, Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott (R) urged the Public Utility Commission of Texas to create a working group to plan for use of advanced nuclear reactors in the state.

In November 2024, the Public Utility Commission of Texas gave a report to Abbott with several legislative recommendations to address the state’s advanced nuclear ambitions.

The state of Texas has three proposed small modular reactor projects in the queue, with Dow and X Energy recently submitting a construction permit application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.