Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear podcast, we hear from Reed Clay, the founding president of the Texas Nuclear Alliance, who shares insights on the rapid and compelling growth of the nuclear industry in the Lone Star state. Reed explores the strong executive and legislative support that nuclear power has received in Texas, as well as the impact of President Trump's recent nuclear-focused executive orders. He reviews the many innovative nuclear projects currently underway in the state and the potential for employing nuclear energy on military bases and to support the data center and AI industries. Reed emphasizes the challenges facing advanced nuclear deployment and the role the Texas Nuclear Alliance plays in supporting the industry, concluding with a preview of the upcoming Texas Nuclear Summit, to be held in October 2025.Reed Clay serves as President of the Texas Nuclear Alliance, the only industry association in Texas dedicated to the advancement of nuclear technology in the state. TNA was formed with a singular mission: to make Texas the Nuclear Capital of the World. TNA seeks to educate Texans on the advancements in nuclear technology, advocate for public policy changes to support our country’s nuclear renaissance, and organize a growing grassroots army supporting nuclear technology. Reed founded the Texas Nuclear Alliance after recognizing that there was no single organization in Texas to advocate for the incredible advancements being made across the nuclear industry. Reed was formerly the Chief Operating Officer of Texas under Governor Greg Abbott, where he worked daily alongside executive and legislative leadership to implement Governor Abbott's vision for the State of Texas. Reed has earned a reputation as a tireless worker who is trusted for his honest communication, strategic approach, and deep understanding of a broad range of industries and issues. He spent over a decade at the highest levels of government, and during that time gained a deep understanding of highly regulated industries and how government action impacts the bottom line.After leaving government service, Reed founded the highly successful government affairs consulting firm Crestline Group. The firm has successfully represented dozens of clients, from Fortune 50 companies to early-stage start-ups across a wide variety of industries. Reed’s approach has led pundits inside Austin and outside of Texas to recognize him as one of the top public policy advocates in the State of Texas. Reed is also a founding partner of Clay Scott LLP, a boutique Texas law firm focused on administrative and regulatory law. This podcast is brought to you by the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power (UCAN Power) Homepage - https://ucanpower.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucanpower

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear podcast, host Jim Howe is joined by Dan Poneman, an internationally-recognized expert on nuclear energy policy and America's longest-serving Deputy Secretary of Energy. They explore the evolution of nuclear policy in the U.S, the importance of bipartisan support, and the relationship between government and the nuclear industry. Poneman shares his insights on the priorities of the nonprofit Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition, his initial views on the Trump administration's recent nuclear-related executive orders, the significance of U.S. nuclear exports in reducing proliferation risks, and the steps needed to resurrect the domestic nuclear fuel industry. The conversation also addresses the future of nuclear technology, including the development of advanced reactors, and the steps necessary to support a nuclear resurgence in the U.S.Daniel Poneman served as President and CEO of Centrus Energy Corp. from 2015 through 2023, restoring the company to profitability and deploying the first U.S.-technology uranium enrichment facility to begin production since 1954. Mr. Poneman served as Deputy Secretary of Energy from 2009 through 2014. As Chief Operating Officer of the Department, Mr. Poneman’s responsibilities spanned all energy technology and nuclear security issues. He led 2009 negotiations to address Iran’s nuclear program, chaired the Credit Review Board approval of $30 billion in projects accelerating the widespread deployment of electric vehicles and renewable power, played an instrumental role in the Department’s response to crises from Fukushima to the Libyan civil war to Superstorm Sandy, and led efforts to strengthen emergency response and cybersecurity across the energy sector. He served six years at the National Security Council under Presidents Bush and Clinton, including three as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Nonproliferation and Export Controls. In the private sector, Mr. Poneman has advised on corporate transactions as a principal of The Scowcroft Group and as a partner in the law firm of Hogan & Hartson, and currently serves in a number of board and consulting roles. Mr. Poneman received A.B. and J.D. degrees with honors from Harvard and an M.Litt. from Oxford. He is the author of Double Jeopardy: Combating Nuclear Terror and Climate Change, Argentina: Democracy on Trial, and Nuclear Power in the Developing World. His third book, Going Critical: The First North Korean Nuclear Crisis (co-authored with Joel Wit and Robert Gallucci), received the 2005 Douglas Dillon Award for Distinguished Writing on American Diplomacy. He has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government and the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit from the Republic of Korea.This podcast is brought to you by the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power (UCAN Power) Homepage - https://ucanpower.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucanpower

Harlan Bowers, Senior Vice President at X-energy, shares insights from his pioneering role in nuclear technology. He discusses the company’s cutting-edge Xe-100 reactor, which promises enhanced safety and industrial applications. Bowers highlights partnerships with major companies like Dow and Amazon, aiming for carbon-neutral solutions. He dives into the innovative use of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors and their future in decarbonizing industries, and even touches on ambitious plans for micro-reactors and space propulsion.

Todd Abrajano, President and CEO of the United States Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC), shares his fascinating journey in the nuclear industry. He discusses the increasing demand for advanced nuclear technologies and the strategic importance of the U.S. fuel supply chain. The conversation highlights the competitive edge of American nuclear firms in the global market and the potential for AI to streamline regulations. Abrajano also touches on the vital role of nuclear energy in national security and its future applications in high-tech industries and space exploration.

Tim Frazier, a seasoned nuclear industry veteran with over 35 years of experience, shares fascinating insights into his career. He discusses the development of radioisotope power systems for deep space missions and the role of nuclear technologies in sustainable energy. Frazier also highlights advancements in reactor technology, including sodium-cooled reactors, and the importance of managing spent nuclear fuel. With an optimistic outlook, he emphasizes the potential for nuclear innovations to power the future and meet rising energy demands.

The critical role of the states in the ongoing resurgence of nuclear power across America is the topic for this week's show. In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power, Kirsten Verclas and Kelsey Jones from the nonprofit National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) explore the roles of state energy offices, their collaboration with the Department of Energy and Congress, and the growing focus on nuclear energy in our country. The conversation highlights NASEO's Advanced Nuclear First Movers Initiative, where 11 states have banded together to catalyze new nuclear deployments, NASEO's work with other nuclear-focused organizations, and the importance of public-private partnerships in bringing advanced nuclear technologies to market.This podcast is brought to you by the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power (UCAN Power) Homepage - https://ucanpower.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucanpower

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear Podcast, Chris Ritter, a nationally-recognized leader in AI applications and the Director of the Digital Innovation Center of Excellence (DICE) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), explores how AI can enhance the design, licensing, and operation of nuclear technologies, particularly through the use of digital twins—virtual models that mirror physical assets. Chris shares his journey to INL, the establishment of DICE, the challenges and future prospects of AI supporting the nuclear industry, and the potential for significant improvements in reactor efficiency, remote operations, and licensing efficiency. The discussion also covers the use of multiple AI programs and the importance of human oversight in AI applications.Chris Ritter is the division director of scientific computing & AI and director of the Digital Innovation Center of Excellence at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). His team of ~100 computational and data scientists are changing the world’s future with AI/ML, digital twinning, digital engineering, multi-physics, HPC, and digital thread technologies across a portfolio of nuclear energy, non-proliferation, semiconductor, and defense applications.Chris founded INL's nationally leading digital engineering team which grew from 0 to over ~57 of the nation’s top researchers and developers in digital science. His team led the first nuclear reactor digital twin, built the Deep Lynx open digital thread platform, developed the first autonomous non-nuclear microreactor, and is actively building multiple petabyte-scale digital thread platforms. Additionally, he co-president of Newcomers in Leadership and Chief Digital Officer of SMART USA. Prior to INL, Chris co-founded and led development of the #1 cloud-native MBSE tool, Innoslate, used in 107 counties across 2,000 companies around the world.Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI in Advanced Nuclear02:00 Chris Ritter's Journey to INL04:00 The Creation of DICE at INL07:11 Understanding Digital Twins10:49 Accuracy and Applications of Digital Twins16:02 Future Work and Innovations in Digital Twins18:06 Reducing Risk and Optimizing Performance with AI22:37 Barriers to Entry in Nuclear Technology23:38 Current State of AI Adoption in Nuclear26:25 The Role of AI in Reactor Design32:57 AI in Licensing and Regulatory Processes36:34 Future of AI in Reactor Operations and DesignThis podcast is brought to you by the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power (UCAN Power) Homepage - UCAN Power - United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear PowerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucanpower

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear podcast, host Jim Howe speaks with Jarret Adams, founder and CEO of Full On Communications, about the importance of effective external and internal communications in the nuclear industry. They discuss the need for clear and consistent messaging to engage communities, address public misconceptions, and promote the benefits of nuclear power. Adams emphasizes the inseparable nature of communications and business strategy, the importance of transparency, the challenges faced by new nuclear startups, and the evolving landscape of nuclear energy amid geopolitical changes and technological advancements. The conversation also touches on the significance of branding and the recent pledge to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050.Jarret has more than 25 years of international experience in corporate communications. He created Full On to help the nuclear energy sector tell its story better. He previously worked at AREVA, where he served as Vice President of Communications and Director of Media Relations and Online Communications. He has also served as a Senior Communications Consultant for the U.S. Nuclear Energy Institute.Prior to creating Full On Communications, Jarret was a Director of Communications for an international public relations agency based in the United Arab Emirates and focusing on the clean energy sector. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and holds an MBA from the George Washington University. He also attended the Ecole Supérieure de Journalisme, a graduate school of journalism, in France.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Advanced Nuclear Power03:05 Jared Adams: Background and Philosophy05:58 The Importance of Effective Communication09:01 Engaging Communities on Nuclear Power12:02 Navigating Public Perception and Misconceptions15:01 Challenges for New Nuclear Startups17:48 Cost and Efficiency in Nuclear Energy20:54 Avoiding Communication Pitfalls24:09 Branding and Messaging in Nuclear26:48 Geopolitical and Technological Changes29:57 Documentary: Nuclear Resurgence32:59 The Tripling Nuclear Power by 2050 Pledge34:10 Key Takeaways and Future Outlook

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear Podcast, host Jim Howe speaks with Liz Muller, CEO of Deep Fission, about her company's innovative approach to nuclear power. They discuss Liz's background, the unique design that places nuclear reactors in mile-deep boreholes, and the potential benefits of this approach, including cost efficiency, safety, and shortened time to deployment. The conversation also touches on the challenges of public perception, the importance of collaboration with the data center industry and other end-users, and the future of nuclear energy in the U.S.Liz is a serial entrepreneur at the forefront of nuclear energy and environmental innovation. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Deep Fission, a groundbreaking nuclear energy startup transforming the industry by placing reactors a mile underground. Previously, she served as CEO of Deep Isolation, a pioneering nuclear waste company, where she now serves as Executive Chairwoman. Liz also founded Berkeley Earth, a nonprofit delivering critical data science on climate change.A named inventor on multiple patents, Liz was recognized as a Clean Energy Rising Star by Business Insider in 2020. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a published author, backpacker, dance instructor, and proud mother of two, based in the Bay Area.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Advanced Nuclear Podcast01:30 Meet Liz Muller: A Leader in Nuclear Innovation02:33 Liz's Journey into the Nuclear Industry04:01 Deep Isolation and the Birth of Deep Fission07:03 Innovative Reactor Design: A Mile Underground11:01 Cost Efficiency of Borehole Reactors12:01 Manufacturing and Fuel Considerations13:52 Operational Characteristics of the Reactor15:02 Deployment and Accuracy of Boreholes16:44 Rapid Deployment of Nuclear Reactors18:15 Safety Advantages of Underground Reactors20:30 Environmental Considerations and Public Perception21:00 Geological Flexibility and Deployment Locations22:01 Disposal and Retrieval of Spent Fuel23:31 Target Industries for Nuclear Power24:17 Military Applications of Underground Reactors25:55 Addressing Public Concerns about Nuclear Power27:12 Financial Viability and Market Response29:35 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

Jim Howe speaks with Jordan Robison, Vice President of Engineering and Program Management at Natura Resources. They discuss the company's innovative approach to advanced nuclear technology, focusing on molten salt reactors and their potential applications. Robison shares insights on Natura's rapid progress, partnerships with universities, and the importance of regulatory engagement. The conversation highlights the growing opportunities in the advanced nuclear sector and the need for diverse technologies to meet global energy demands.Jordan is the Vice President of Engineering and Program Management at Natura Resources, where he drives innovative engineering solutions and oversees critical program development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Austin College, a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Dallas, and an MBA from Abilene Christian University, equipping him with a unique blend of technical prowess and strategic leadership. With a career that began in technical and engineering management roles within the semiconductor and oil and gas industries, Robison brings a wealth of experience to his leadership position at Natura Resources.Since joining Natura Resources in 2020, Robison has played a pivotal role in advancing Natura Resources' molten salt reactor technology, guiding both university research initiatives and commercial development efforts. He works closely with faculty and staff from Natura’s five university partners—Abilene Christian University (ACU), Georgia Tech, Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin, and Texas Tech University—while collaborating with the teams at Zachry Nuclear Engineering and Teledyne Brown Engineering to advance the detailed design of the Natura MSR-1 demonstration system that is being deployed at ACU.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Advanced Nuclear Power01:30 Natura Resources: Company Overview and Mission03:26 Natura's Innovative Approach to Reactor Deployment07:53 Commercial Projects and Applications11:21 Leveraging University Partnerships for Success15:16 Understanding Molten Salt Reactor Technology19:40 Safety Features of Molten Salt Reactors21:16 Modular Construction Benefits23:41 Fuel Supply and Regulatory Engagement28:05 Exploring Market Opportunities and Applications35:35 Conclusion and Future OutlookThis podcast is brought to you by the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power (UCAN Power) Homepage - UCAN Power - United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear PowerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucanpower