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Natura to Pursue DOE Authorization for MSR-1 Under New OTA, Advancing its Reactor Towards Criticality Through DOE's Pilot Program
Natura secured a DOE agreement to advance its MSR-1 reactor at ACU, targeting criticality by July 4, 2026, with $240 million in combined funding supporting the project.
- On Dec. 15, 2025, Natura Resources LLC executed an OTA with the U.S. Department of Energy to pursue DOE Authorization for its MSR-1 at Abilene Christian University, where the Science & Engineering Research Center was completed in August 2023.
- Natura said pursuing DOE Authorization complements NRC licensing as a deliberate regulatory enhancement aligned with federal safety and licensing requirements, framing its work around medical isotope production and clean water goals.
- DOE conditionally committed to supply HALEU for the project, and Natura secured more than $120 million in private funding plus $120 million from the State of Texas, using liquid-fueled, molten salt-cooled reactor technology.
- MSR-1 is planned to reach initial operation under DOE Authorization, then Natura and ACU will pursue U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing, with Robison calling it a chance to advance technology while maintaining regulatory rigor.
- With an NRC first construction permit, Natura positions itself as an industry leader, while the Reactor Pilot Program targets criticality in at least three DOE-authorized reactors by July 4, 2026.
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Natura to Pursue DOE Authorization for MSR-1 Under New OTA, Advancing its Reactor Towards Criticality Through DOE's Pilot Program
ABILENE, Texas, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Natura Resources LLC recently announced that it has executed an Other Transactional Agreement (OTA) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), establishing the contractual framework through which the company will pursue DOE Authorization…
·Parsons, United States
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