Andrews, Texas Eyes Nuclear Test Reactor

Oct 14 - Odessa American

UTPB and General Atomics are looking at a new type of nuclear technology -- one that could fuel both electricity and transportation -- and they'd like to put a reactor here in West Texas.

University of Texas of the Permian Basin President David Watts said San Diego-based General Atomics has developed the nuclear program based on technology used overseas.

"It uses technology that has been adopted in China, Japan and is under consideration for adoption in South Africa," Watts said. "The point is that the technology is inherently safe. It is a new development in nuclear reactor technology."

While still only in the discussion stage, Watts said UTPB and General Atomics would like to develop a Very High Temperature Test Nuclear Reactor.

"Since this technology has not been used anywhere in the United States, we believe that the opportunity is ripe for the design and construction of this Very High Temperature Test Reactor," Watts said. "We hope it will be sited in Andrews County."

Andrews City Manager Glen Hackler said it doesn't appear the city or county is averse to that.

On Tuesday, UTPB officials presented the idea of the reactor, as well as the possibility of putting it in Andrews, to the city, county, economic development board and industrial base of the West Texas community.

"After the meeting, I milled around with quite a few of the people there, and the reaction I got was constantly favorable of people from Andrews," Hackler said. "I think it's got a real appeal from a conceptual standpoint."

The concept of the Very High Temperature Test Nuclear Reactor is one that could provide both electric energy and hydrogen fuel. The reactor process also creates the sulfur-iodine technology for hydrogen production.

"This technology, because of the high heat it generates, promises to bring a variety of new economically powerful applications here, such as production of cheap hydrogen," Watts said. "This technology may be the answer to the question of how do you have a cheap and reliable source of hydrogen for a hydrogen-based economy."

Even more, the technology -- which has been tested in Asian countries -- is inherently safe, Watts said.

"There is no risk of any kind of nuclear meltdown," he said. "It is a new technology, presently unlike anything used in the United States for nuclear reactors."

In a letter General Atomics Senior Vice President David Baldwin wrote to Watts, Baldwin said a concept design, which is needed to apply for grants, would cost about $3 million. The money would be raised through grants and outside donations, he said. The cost of the reactor would run about $100 million.

"It is anticipated that, once these facilities are built, they would be operated by UTPB and/or its designees," Baldwin wrote. "The research faculty at UTPB will use this facility to not only support the development of the (Next Generation Nuclear Plant) but also energy research in cooperation with other national and international organizations."

Dr. James "Jim" Wright, project director for the nuclear proposal, said a test plant in Andrews would pave the way for a full-scale Next Generation Nuclear Plant elsewhere.

"The Very High Temperature Test Reactor to be built by UTPB and General Atomics, we believe it is a logical technology stepping stone to the Very High Temperature Reactor," Wright said. "It will be used to (a) test and verify many of the required technologies, and (b) refine the nuclear fuel cycle, before they are tried in the much more expensive Next Generation Nuclear Plant."

Meanwhile, Watts and Hackler both said the possibility of a project is a long way off -- Tuesday's meeting was solely an informational talk to get community reaction of the idea.

"They're talking about trying a feasibility study in a year," Hackler said. "If that's successful and there's a general receptiveness in our community, the timeline for the reactor is five or six years."

Watts said the university has long been interested in finding alternative energy sources, which led to its relationship with General Atomics.

"UTPB has been involved in energy research for some time and began to explore the nuclear area and formed a partnership with General Atomics, which has developed the technology we're interested in seeing applied in a test nuclear reactor," Watts said.

Hackler said Andrews officials were impressed with the presentation Tuesday.

"For Andrews, having the UT system involved gives it great credibility," Hackler said. "General Atomics and their 50-year history in nuclear technology and the nuclear research field gives it great credibility."

Watts said Andrews seemed like a logical choice.

"We believe that the city and county of Andrews -- which has had a substantial discussion over decades regarding the operation of nuclear faculties such as Water Control Systems and Louisiana Exploration Services, directly adjacent to Waste Control Systems -- would consider allowing this project to be sited in their county," Watts said.

Hackler said he would hope a test reactor would actually eliminate some of the stigma Andrews has gotten with the nuclear waste sites.

"We get the stigma that goes with being a nuclear waste landfill site or waste disposal site," he said. "It'd be nice to have the prestige that comes with a major research-development, world-class facility for nuclear energy right here in the Permian Basin in our county."

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