We don’t need more climate promises
We need performance

“If you want something clean and sustainable, look to nuclear energy. It’s abundant, clean, and safe.”

Best-selling author
Michael Shellenberger

Bringing Safe,
Reliable Nuclear
Energy to the World


As the world, and especially the United States, ventures deeper into its badly needed re-appraisal of nuclear energy, one particular source of nuclear power generation stands above all others. Molten salt reactors are safer and cleaner, more cost-efficient, and more scalable. MSRs, already a proven technology, stand on the brink of becoming an industry.

But nuclear power, whether this type or any other, will not get traction unless it proves itself as a commercial enterprise. Undoubtedly, that happens only when the private sector puts capital and energy into its development. Natura Resources is the free market entity stepping up to take the molten salt reactor from the research facilities and put it on a commercial footing.

While Natura closes in on the deployment of a molten salt research reactor (MSRR) at Abilene Christian University – the first such reactor to be built in generations – we are in parallel designing and developing factory-powered, modular reactors that can be shipped via truck or rail anywhere in the world.

Our Reactors are

  • Modular
  • Walk-away safe
  • Produce firm, carbon-free energy that is available on demand
  • Have the highest fuel-use efficiency among all nuclear power systems

Our Team

Douglass Robison

CEO, President

Douglass Robison is the founder and President of Natura Resources. Throughout his career in the energy sector, Douglass has been at the forefront of leading-edge technologies, in his role as Partner, Co-founder, President and Executive Chair of ExL Petroleum, a Permian-based oil and gas exploration and production company, and now as the founder and President of Natura Resources.  In 2004 he was appointed by former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to serve on the Texas Energy Planning Council and co-chaired the Energy Supply Committee during which time his committee identified the importance of nuclear energy in our energy future.  Natura Resources is a natural fit for his deep-seated interest in advanced energy technologies.

Jordan Robison

VP of Engineering &
Program Management

Jordan Robison is the Vice President of Engineering and Program Management of Natura Resources, LLC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Austin College, a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Dallas, an MBA from Abilene Christian University and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas.  Robison spent the first part of his career working in technical and engineering management positions within both the semiconductor and oil and gas industries.  In 2020 he joined Natura Resource to guide university research and development efforts as well as Natura Resource’s commercial reactor development.

Andrew Harmon

VP of Operations & Business Development

Andrew Harmon is the Vice President of Operations and Business Development of Natura Resources, LLC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Abilene Christian University and a M.S. in Technology Commercialization from McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin.  His professional experience includes corporate development positions at Accenture, a global professional services company, and executive roles in finance and operations in the area of commercial goods manufacturing.  In 2020 he joined Natura Resources and leads investment, operations and business development efforts.

Abilene Christian University

The mission of ACU’s NEXT Lab is to provide global solutions to the world’s need for energy, water and medical isotopes by advancing the technology of molten salt reactors while educating future leaders in nuclear science and engineering. Natura's support of the NEXT Lab represents the largest sponsored research agreement in ACU's history.

The Georgia Institute of Technology

"We're excited about this opportunity to engage with colleagues in industry and academia," said Dr. Steve Biegalski, program chair for nuclear and radiological engineering and medical physics. "It is a great opportunity for our faculty and students to apply their expertise to a real-world design project. We know it will be a valuable learning experience for all involved.

Texas A&M University

“Texas A&M plays an important role on the team, supporting the design, thermal management and fuel characterization efforts toward the reactor,” said Tsvetkov, associate professor of nuclear engineering and lead of the Texas A&M team. “We are excited to be part of the consortium. This is going to be the first advanced reactor to be built in the 21st century in the U.S. and the first to be built as a university research reactor. It will enable the nuclear engineering community, as well as serve the strategic role of workforce development supporting advanced reactors. Dr. Kimber and Dr. McDeavitt have years of unique experience in important areas of the project, allowing us to provide high-impact assistance to the team.”

The University of Texas

“Nuclear energy is already our most effective tool against climate change,” said Dr. Derek Haas, assistant professor in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and lead of the UT Austin team. “The molten salt research reactor will provide the United States a testbed to develop the next generation of even safer, more efficient nuclear reactors.”

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Timeline

In less than 5 years, we’ve become a governmentally recognized advanced nuclear development company leading the nation in the design and deployment of liquid-fueled molten salt reactors to power the next generation of nuclear energy.

2020

Natura Resources, LLC

Natura Resources, LLC, is founded and establishes the Natura Resources Research Alliance with the mission of developing commercial MSRs.

2021

State Support

The Natura Resources Research Alliance is recognized by the State of Texas Senate and House of Representatives for advanced nuclear research.

2022

Construction Permit Application Submission

Construction Permit Application submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to deploy Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR).

2023

Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) Opens

The SERC at Abilene Christian University, the first advanced reactor demonstration facility outside of a national lab, opens.

2024

Construction Permit Application Approval & Operating License Application Submittal

Expected approval of Construction Permit Application by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and submission of Operating License Application to the NRC.

2026

MSRR Operational

The first deployment of a Natura Resources' reactor, the Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR) at Abilene Christian University, is scheduled to begin operations.

2030

Commercial Reactor Deployment

Initial deployment of small-modular liquid-fueled molten salt reactors for commercial use.

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