Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group Named

The members of the Public Utility Commission of Texas’ (PUCT) Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group were announced today. The working group was established Aug. 16, 2023, at the direction of Governor Greg Abbott and operates under the leadership of PUCT Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty.

“These experts are leaders in nuclear energy, business, and academia and will be instrumental as we chart a path forward for advanced nuclear technology in Texas,” Glotfelty said. “The diversity and depth of their expertise will help us deliver a comprehensive and actionable plan to make our state the leader in nuclear energy. I thank each of them for their willingness to participate and serve the interests of Texas consumers.”

The members of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group, along with Commissioner Glotfelty, are:

• Dillon Allen, Senior Manager of Advanced Nuclear Development, Entergy

• Chrissy Borskey, Senior Executive Director, Government Affairs and Policy, GE Vernova/GE Hitachi Bret Colby, Principal, Nuclear Oversight, CPS Energy

• Ryan Duncan, Director of Government Relations, Last Energy

• Derek Haas, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin Maynard Holt, CEO, Veriten

• Mike Kotara, President, Zachry Sustainability Solutions

• Stephanie Matthews, Executive Vice President, Texas Association of Business

• Sean McDeavitt, Associate Vice Chancellor, National Laboratories Office, Texas A&M University Andy Meyers, Ft. Bend County Commissioner

• Andy Nguyen, Director of Wholesale Market Development, Constellation

• Preeti Patel, Associate Commercial Director, Dow

• Benjamin Reinke, Vice President of Global Business Development, X-Energy

• Doug Robison, CEO, Natura

• Clayton Scott, Executive Vice President of Business Development, Pearl/NuScale

• Jim Stanway, Senior Strategist, Samsung

• Pablo Vegas, CEO, Electric Reliability Council of Texas

Along with working group members, additional experts in fields relating to nuclear energy development, deployment, and distribution will join this effort on subgroups to ensure the full spectrum of ideas and options can be considered.

The working group will evaluate how advanced nuclear reactors can provide safe, reliable, and affordable power for Texas. Areas of study include safety advancements, financial incentives, state, and federal regulatory impediments to growth, permitting processes, and impacts to the Texas electric market. The working group must report its findings and recommendations to Governor Abbott by Dec. 1, 2024.

Documents related to the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group’s ongoing work, including a recent memo on participation from Commissioner Glotfelty and an announcement for the upcoming public workshop, will be filed under PUCT Project #55421.