Website: [naturaresources.com](https://www.naturaresources.com) ### Introduction Natura Resources LLC, based in Abilene, Texas, was founded with a focus on advancing nuclear energy through innovative reactor designs. While the exact founding year and founders are not publicly detailed in the latest available data, the company has emerged as a significant player in the nuclear energy sector, particularly with its work on molten salt reactor technology. Headquartered in Abilene, Natura Resources is a private entity, and specific employee counts are not readily available from current public sources. The mission of Natura Resources centers on developing and deploying advanced nuclear reactors to provide safe, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions. The company is notably working on the first Generation IV (Gen IV) nuclear reactor in the United States, aiming to address modern energy demands with cutting-edge technology. As a private company, it does not have a publicly traded ticker symbol, and its operations are supported by strategic partnerships and government programs, reflecting a focused effort to revolutionize nuclear energy deployment. ### Key Products and Technology - **Name and Type**: Natura MSR-1 (Molten Salt Reactor) - **Technical Specifications**: Specific power output in MW/MWe or efficiency metrics are not fully detailed in current public data. However, molten salt reactors are generally known for operating at high temperatures and low pressures, enhancing efficiency and safety. - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: Liquid-fueled molten salt, utilizing enriched uranium chloride or similar fuel salts as part of its innovative design. - **Key Differentiators**: The MSR-1 design prioritizes enhanced safety through low-pressure operation and high-temperature efficiency, reducing the risk of accidents compared to traditional reactors. It represents a novel approach as the first liquid salt-fueled reactor licensed in the U.S. in over 30 years. - **Development Stage**: Under construction, with facilities reportedly complete as of late 2025. The company is moving toward authorized operation with support from the Department of Energy (DOE). - **Target Customers**: Primarily utilities and academic institutions for test reactors, with potential future applications for industrial and grid-scale energy needs. The Natura MSR-1 is a flagship project for the company, positioning it at the forefront of advanced nuclear technology in the U.S. [Interesting Engineering](https://interestingengineering.com/energy/us-nrc-permit-first-advanced-liquid-salt-fueled-nuclear-reactor). ### Regulatory and Licensing Status Natura Resources has made significant strides in regulatory approvals, particularly with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The company is engaged in pre-application activities with the NRC starting in January 2024, and it has achieved a historic milestone by receiving a construction permit for the Natura MSR-1, marking it as the first liquid salt-fueled reactor approved in the U.S. in over three decades [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/advanced/who-were-working-with/pre-application-activities/natura-resources.html). Key regulatory milestones include the NRC construction permit issued prior to 2025 and selection by the DOE for the Reactor Pilot Program, which aims to fast-track test reactors for operation by July 4, 2026. The recent execution of an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) with the DOE in December 2025 further accelerates the path to authorized operation of the MSR-1 system [ANS Nuclear Newswire](https://www.ans.org/news/2025-12-19/article-7631/natura-executes-an-ota-with-the-doe/). The estimated timeline for first commercial deployment or operational testing aligns with the DOE’s 2026 target, with construction projected to be completed within a year from August 2025 predictions and operation within five years. ### Team and Leadership Detailed information on Natura Resources’ leadership team is limited in public sources as of the latest data. Key figures mentioned in news reports include individuals like Robison, who commented on the completion of facilities and the OTA with DOE, though specific roles (e.g., CEO, CTO) are not explicitly confirmed in available articles [ANS Nuclear Newswire](https://www.ans.org/news/2025-12-19/article-7631/natura-executes-an-ota-with-the-doe/). Additionally, Towell has been cited in predictions regarding construction timelines, though again, specific titles are not detailed in current public information. Due to the lack of verified X handles or LinkedIn profiles in the accessible data, social media links are omitted. ### Funding and Financial Position Specific data on total funding raised or the latest funding rounds for Natura Resources is not comprehensively available in the most recent public records. As a private company, detailed financial disclosures such as market cap or stock performance are not applicable. However, the company’s selection for the DOE Reactor Pilot Program and the execution of an OTA with the DOE indicate significant governmental backing, which likely includes financial or resource support to expedite reactor development [ANS Nuclear Newswire](https://www.ans.org/news/2025-12-19/article-7631/natura-executes-an-ota-with-the-doe/). There are no widely reported details on key institutional investors or strategic backers beyond the DOE partnership. Natura Resources appears to be in a pre-revenue stage, focusing on development and regulatory milestones rather than commercial contracts or revenue generation at this point. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 19, 2025 | OTA Executed with DOE | Natura Resources signs an Other Transaction Agreement with the DOE to fast-track MSR-1 operation. [ANS Nuclear Newswire](https://www.ans.org/news/2025-12-19/article-7631/natura-executes-an-ota-with-the-doe/) | | Oct 22, 2025 | Gen IV Reactor Advancement | Natura continues construction and deployment of the first Gen IV nuclear reactor in the U.S. [PRNewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/natura-resources-advancing-nations-first-gen-iv-nuclear-reactor-302583716.html) | | Aug 18, 2025 | DOE Reactor Pilot Selection | Natura selected as the only DOE pick with an NRC construction permit for molten salt test reactors in Abilene and Texas A&M. [MRT](https://www.mrt.com/business/oil/article/natura-resources-doe-test-reactors-20822962.php) | | Mar 5, 2025 | NRC Pre-Application Update | NRC updates pre-application activities with Natura Resources, ongoing since January 2024. [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/advanced/who-were-working-with/pre-application-activities/natura-resources.html) | | Jan, 2025 | Continued Regulatory Engagement | Natura Resources maintains engagement with NRC for regulatory progress on MSR-1. [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/advanced/who-were-working-with/pre-application-activities/natura-resources.html) | ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Department of Energy (DOE)**: Natura Resources was selected for the DOE Reactor Pilot Program, aiming to bring test reactors online by July 4, 2026. The recent OTA agreement further solidifies this collaboration, providing a framework for fast-tracking the MSR-1 system’s authorized operation. This partnership is strategically critical for funding, regulatory support, and accelerating deployment timelines [ANS Nuclear Newswire](https://www.ans.org/news/2025-12-19/article-7631/natura-executes-an-ota-with-the-doe/). - **Texas A&M and Abilene Christian University**: Natura is deploying test reactors at facilities associated with these institutions, leveraging academic partnerships for research and development. These collaborations provide infrastructure and intellectual resources for testing and validating the MSR-1 design [MRT](https://www.mrt.com/business/oil/article/natura-resources-doe-test-reactors-20822962.php). ### New Hampshire Relevance Natura Resources’ technology, particularly the Natura MSR-1, could have potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]]’s energy landscape, though no direct connections or expressed interest in the Northeast U.S. are evident in current data. New Hampshire hosts [[Seabrook Station]], a nuclear power plant, and is part of the ISO New England (ISO-NE) grid, which could theoretically integrate advanced reactors for baseload power or to support growing data center loads in the region. The high-temperature, low-pressure design of molten salt reactors like MSR-1 could also align with industrial heat applications, a potential need in NH’s manufacturing sector. However, the technology readiness of Natura’s reactors for NH deployment remains uncertain, as the MSR-1 is still in the construction and pre-operational phase with a target operational date by mid-2026. This timeline may not align with immediate NH energy needs or legislative initiatives like HB 710, which focuses on exploring small modular reactors (SMRs) and other nuclear options. While Natura’s molten salt technology shares some conceptual overlap with SMRs in terms of safety and efficiency, its specific focus on test reactors rather than immediate commercial grid integration might limit short-term applicability in NH. No partnerships or discussions specific to NH or the Northeast have been reported, suggesting that any fit would be speculative at this stage. ### Competitive Position Natura Resources operates in a competitive field of advanced nuclear technology companies, each pushing unique reactor designs. Compared to competitors like [[NuScale Power]], which has cleared U.S. nuclear regulation for its SMR design and focuses on commercial deployment with utilities, Natura’s emphasis on molten salt technology and test reactors positions it as more experimental but potentially transformative for safety and efficiency [posts on X](https://x.com). Another competitor, [[Oklo]], is also advancing with NRC readiness assessments for its combined license application and has secured a site use permit, potentially outpacing Natura in commercial readiness [posts on X](https://x.com/oklo). Natura’s unique advantage lies in its historic NRC construction permit for a liquid salt-fueled reactor and its DOE backing, which could accelerate its path to operation. However, risks include the unproven commercial scalability of molten salt reactors compared to more conventional SMR designs and the uncertainty of meeting the aggressive 2026 DOE timeline. ### Closing Note Natura Resources is at a pivotal stage, advancing the first Gen IV molten salt reactor in the U.S. with strong regulatory and governmental support, signaling a promising trajectory for nuclear innovation. *Report generated December 24, 2025*