About Natura Resources

“If you want something clean and sustainable, look to nuclear energy. It’s abundant, clean, and safe.”
—best-selling author Michael Shellenberger

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. This source is safer and cleaner, as well as more cost-efficient and more scalable. The molten salt reactor, already a proven technology, stands on the brink of becoming an industry.

But nuclear, 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 that stepped up to take the molten salt reactor from the research facilities and put it on a commercial footing.

While Natura’s consortium of university research partners close in on the deployment of a molten salt research reactor (MSRR) at Abilene Christian University – the first such reactor to be built in generations – Natura Resources has set itself to commercializing this revolutionary reactor technology.

Indeed, it’s a worthy cause that we advance. Why? Because molten salt reactors are walkaway safe. They produce carbon free energy that is available on demand. And the efficiency of their liquid fuel—no more fuel rods, no more cladding—all but eliminates any leftover waste.

About Douglass Robison

Douglass Robison is the founder and president of Natura Resources. Formerly, Robison was partner, co-founder, president, and executive chair of ExL Petroleum, a Permian-based oil and gas exploration and production company.

Additionally, Robison has earned a national reputation as an expert in the analysis and communication of issues impacting the independent oil and gas community.

Among many industry accomplishments, he was appointed in 2004 by former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to serve on the Texas Energy Planning Council. Moreover, Robison co-chaired the Energy Supply Committee with Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.

Under Robison’s leadership, ExL assembled and developed over 76,000 acres in the Permian Basin, resulting in sales over $2 billion and an average return on capital of 3.6X.

Natura Resources Timeline

2015

Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Lab

Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Lab is founded at ACU to perform research into molten salts and their uses in nuclear energy.

2018

Excelsior Foundation

Excelsior Foundation pledges over $3 million in funding for NEXT Lab.

Principal Deputy Secretary for Nuclear Energy Edward McGinnis visits the NEXT Lab and encourages the development of a molten salt research reactor.

2019

NEXT visits DOE

NEXT visits DOE and presents a plan to build a Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR).

2020

Natura Resources, LLC

Natura Resources, LLC, is founded and begins sponsoring research through SRAs.

2021

NEXT Research Alliance (NEXTRA)

NEXT Research Alliance (NEXTRA) is recognized by the State of Texas Senate and House of Representatives for advanced nuclear research.

2024

Construction Permit (CP) Application

Construction Permit (CP) Application review to be completed (May 2024). Operating License (OL) Application to be submitted following CP approval.

2025

MSRR Operational

Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR) begins operations
at Abilene Christian University (ACU)

2030s

Commercial Reactor Deployment

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