Insights, Initiatives, and Impact
With her recent immersion into nuclear policy experience in this newly emerging field by directing the Governor’s effort in only 14 months (Aug. 2023-Nov. 2024), VA Stephens brings deep insight into the most immediate policy recommendations to show the world that Texas’ has rolled out the welcome mat for advanced nuclear development.
Opinion: Texas’ nuclear energy era is about to begin
House Bill 14 sets the ground for national, economic security: By CODY HARRIS
In June, Gov. Greg Abbott and the Legislature made a clear statement that Texas intends to be the epicenter of American nuclear innovation.
America is locked in a race with China and Russia over which will lead advanced nuclear technologies, and the victor will hold the cards when it comes to reliable
clean energy deployment across the globe.
China currently has 30 nuclear reactors under construction, and Russia is a leading supplier of uranium, including more than 25% of the enriched uranium used by commercial nuclear facilities in the U.S. in recent years.
This dependence on hostile foreign nations for critical resources that power our industries, military facilities and homes flies in the face of the energy-dominance
agenda being advanced by the Trump administration and elected leaders here in Texas.
That’s why I authored Texas House Bill 14, whose passage marks a badly needed first step to coordinate the development of the Lone Star State’s budding nuclear
industry.
In addition to establishing an advanced nuclear energy office and nuclear permitting coordinator, the measure places a premium on the buildup of our advanced nuclear supply chain. By targeting smart investments toward advanced nuclear, we can ensure that Texas not only leads in the deployment of homegrown nuclear energy infrastructure but also carves out a role as an exporter of small modular reactors (SMRs) and other technologies.
It’s not surprising that Texas is the beating heart of America’s nuclear renaissance.
We are the undisputed energy capital of the world, and the facts speak for themselves: We are the top producer of oil and gas in the U.S., the No. 1 state for
wind power, a close second in solar generation, and we are the largest net supplier of energy to other states.
And while Texas’ two nuclear plants currently provide approximately 7% of our electricity and innovative partnerships, such as those being pursued at Texas A&M
University, are popping up across the state, we have the natural resources, workforce and entrepreneurial spirit to build on these early successes and cultivate
a thriving nuclear industry that is the envy of the world.
Advanced nuclear development is taking on increasing importance as Texas positions itself as the tip of the spear in America’s competition with China for tech supremacy, especially in critical advancements like AI.
Our state has emerged as a top destination for the data center infrastructure that powers AI tools, and consequently, we’re also attracting more of the cutting-edge industries that want to locate their operations near this digital infrastructure.
These industrial energy consumers benefit from power sources that provide stable, carbon-free, 24/7 electricity and the smaller scale and versatility of SMRs.
Texas has always been a hotbed of technological innovation, especially when it comes to pushing our energy sector to new frontiers.
Advanced nuclear is the next chapter in our state’s energy leadership, and the best thing policymakers can do is give entrepreneurs the regulatory predictability and targeted investment needed to set this industry up for success. With the enactment of HB 14, Texas has done just that.
State Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, represents Texas’ District 8.
Featured Update: Leading Policy for Texas’ Nuclear Renaissance
Highlights from “Deploying a World-Renowned Advanced Nuclear Industry in Texas”
- Create a Texas Advanced Nuclear Authority, and designate a Texas Nuclear Permitting Officer (included in HB14, signed into law by Governor Abbott 6/20/2025)
- Create a coordinated workforce development program to support new nuclear job creation (included in SB1535, signed into law by Governor Abbott 6/20/2025)
- Plan for public outreach and communications (included in HB14)
- Fund incentives to support advanced nuclear development and supply chain ($350 million included in supplemental appropriations over the next two years).
With years of nuclear policy experience in this newly emerging field, VA Stephens brings deep insight into the implications of recent executive actions aimed at revitalizing America’s nuclear energy strategy. These directives include overhauling the NRC, deploying advanced reactors at military sites, boosting uranium enrichment capacity, and growing the nuclear workforce pipeline.
Featured Update: Leading Policy for the Nuclear Future
VA Stephens Applauds Presidential Action on U.S. Nuclear Innovation
These directives call for:
- Overhauling the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to streamline permitting and improve decision-making
- Deploying advanced nuclear technologies at military bases across the U.S.
- Expanding fuel reprocessing, domestic uranium enrichment, and high-assay low- enriched uranium production
- Strengthening America’s nuclear engineering workforce through training, apprenticeships, and university partnerships
“I may have been the guy on the stage, but VA was ‘the Little Engine that could’ keeping this effort focused, well-written, and completed early”