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.
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”