Natura Resources Misses July 2026 Criticality Target in Nuclear Pilot Program

Natura Resources did not achieve criticality by the July 4, 2026, deadline set under the Trump administration's Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program, Fortune reported. The program initially included 10 companies and aimed for at least three test reactors to reach criticality by that date.

Three other projects met the goal: Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 at Idaho National Laboratory, Valar Atomics’ Ward 250 at Utah San Rafael Energy Lab, and Deployable Energy’s Unity reactor at Idaho National Laboratory.

Natura Resources instead targets bringing its first test reactor, MSR-1, online in Abilene in 2028. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the construction permit for MSR-1 in 2024. A 100-megawatt commercial reactor is planned for either the Permian Basin or Bryan, Texas, by 2032.

The company joined the pilot program after forming several months following a 2019 U.S. Department of Energy offer of fuel and salt to Abilene Christian University, which agreed to host the test reactor. Doug Robison provided a $3.2 million research donation that launched the project at Abilene Christian University’s NEXT lab.

Researchers from Abilene Christian University, University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and Georgia Institute of Technology are collaborating. Natura Resources acquired Shepherd Power from NOV late in 2025. Jordan Robison, Doug Robison’s nephew and the company’s chief operating officer, said the focus is on building a full reactor system beyond a criticality test.

Natura Resources plans to build commercial reactors with Teledyne Brown Engineering in Alabama, with on-site design and construction led by Zachry Nuclear. The company is also working with NGL Energy Partners on water solutions in the Permian Basin.