Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Jarred Shaffer to lead the newly created Texas Advanced Nuclear Office.
The agency will oversee $350 million in state funding aimed at developing nuclear energy projects across Texas.
The appointment comes as Texas seeks to expand beyond fossil fuels and attract new nuclear development. With federal support growing for nuclear power, the state is aiming to capture a share of the emerging advanced reactor market.
“The State of Texas continues to build the world’s most robust and diverse energy sector,” said Abbott. “Texas will lead the nuclear renaissance.”
Shaffer currently serves as a budget and policy advisor in Abbott’s office. His background includes stints with the Texas House Committee on State Affairs, the state transportation department, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
The Texas Advanced Nuclear Office (TANO) emerged from legislation Abbott signed in June. House Bill 14 established both the office and its $350 million development fund.
The fund will provide financial incentives to nuclear developers choosing Texas for their projects. TANO will also work to streamline regulatory processes that have historically slowed nuclear development.
Shaffer’s appointment comes as several states compete to attract advanced nuclear projects. These next-generation reactors promise safer, more efficient designs than traditional nuclear plants.
The Flower Mound resident holds a degree in international relations from the University of Texas at Austin. He also spent time in Argentina teaching English and building housing settlements.
Texas currently operates two nuclear plants — one near Bay City and the other near Glen Rose — that generate about 10% of the state’s electricity. The new initiative is intended to expand the state’s nuclear footprint in coming decades.