The Department of Energy will provide the university and Natura Resources with high-assay low-enriched uranium to support the development of the NEXT Lab’s molten salt reactor.
This type of uranium will have significant use in the design and testing phases of the NEXT Lab’s pioneering project, the Natura MSR-1. The fuel allocation follows the Texas Legislature’s $120 million allocation to the NEXT Lab in its spring legislative session.
“President Trump has prioritized jumpstarting a true nuclear energy renaissance, and the Department of Energy is doing everything within its power to achieve this ambitious agenda, including increasing access to materials needed to fabricate advanced nuclear fuels,” said Chris Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy. “We’re reducing our dependence on foreign-sourced minerals while giving the private sector the boost it needs to succeed. The HALEU allocation program is a win for the economy, energy security, and the American people.”
Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, thanked the DOE and Wright for their help in the advancement of America’s nuclear energy future. He also the project has also received continued support from Congressman Jodey Arrington, Sen. John Cornyn and Sen.Ted Cruz.
“This access to fuel enables ACU and our partners at Natura Resources to take the critical next steps in designing and testing advanced nuclear technology – paving the way for safe, clean and reliable energy while creating extraordinary opportunities for our students and faculty to contribute to innovative research with global impact and strengthening our nation’s energy security,” Schubert said.
This uranium is not yet commercially available from domestic suppliers, so the DOE established a process for nuclear developers to request the material. The university is one of three entities to receive an allocation following an initial round of awards to five companies earlier this year. The fuel will potentially be delivered to recipients later this year after the contracting process is finalized.
