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

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear podcast we hear from Harlan Bowers, Senior Vice President of X-energy, one of America's leading reactor and nuclear fuel developers. He talks about X-energy's advancements in nuclear technology, particularly focusing on the Xe-100 reactor and its applications, and his work leading the deployment of four Xe-100s under the Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Development Program. Bowers provides valuable insights on the characteristics of high temperature gas cooled reactors, the growth of the company, the importance of TRISO fuel, and the potential for using nuclear power for industrial processes and space applications. Further, he shares his thoughts on the challenges and opportunities facing the nuclear industry, including the use of inherent safety features, partnerships with companies like Dow Chemical and Amazon, and the future of nuclear energy in a decarbonized world.