Natura Resources has signed an agreement to collaborate with the Department of Energy under the DOE reactor pilot program, Natura said this week.
The goal of the DOE program is to have at least three demonstration reactors reach criticality by July 4, 2026. Natura is one of 10 companies selected for the program.
It is also one of the companies that DOE has conditionally agreed to provide high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to for advanced nuclear projects.
According to the Abilene, Texas-based nuclear company’s Monday press release, the document establishes a contractual framework through which the company will pursue DOE authorization for its reactor.
Natura plans to build its pilot MSR-1 reactor at Abilene Christian University in Texas. MSR-1 is a molten salt-cooled, liquid-fueled reactor that will produce one megawatt of thermal energy without producing electricity.
According to the release, the Science and Engineering Research Center at Abilene Christian University is where the MSR-1 will be installed. The center serves as an advanced reactor demonstration facility.
Additionally, Natura and Abilene Christian University “intend on continuing U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing of the MSR-1 as a university research reactor following its initial operation under DOE oversight,” according to the release.
The company was issued its NRC construction permit for the research reactor in September 2024.