Texas
It’s time for Texas energy to go nuclear
A nuclear reactor isn’t the first image conjured by the words “Texas energy.” But that’s quickly changing — and must — as the state’s energy demands balloon.
Texas has never needed more reliable and affordable energy than now. Within five years, electricity demand could more than double, straining our grid by truly Texan proportions, according to a higher-end estimate by ERCOT.
That demand is driven in large part by the rapid growth of new data centers, which are critical to advancing our strategic interests in artificial intelligence. But it’s also about personal choice. With a welcoming business environment, people from across the country have been choosing Texas as the new home for their families and businesses, pushing the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to become the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country.
This is a perfect example of the Texas miracle. Yet, the scale and speed of this growth is unprecedented, and we cannot rely solely on existing tools and market incentives. To meet rising Texas demand, we need to embrace a bigger vision for our energy mix. We need to go nuclear.
The recent executive orders issued by the Trump administration are a clear signal that America — and Texas — are ready to win on nuclear power. They are also an important step toward the bold action needed to ensure American technologies can compete against state-owned entities from Russia and China. We are at a pivotal moment and must act on the opportunity to embrace nuclear energy to protect our country’s energy, technological and economic strength.
Today, reliability matters more than ever. With hot summer days and icy winter nights, the grid is constantly whipsawed between the peaks and valleys of demand. Data centers, with large energy demands of their own, need a stable baseload of power to run smoothly. Curtailing operations even for a short time will incur massive costs.
Nuclear energy is better than any other energy source at consistently producing at expected levels year round. Wind and solar generate only when the weather allows. Natural gas can be ramped up and down, but it can (and often does) face infrastructure constraints, along with other supply chain challenges.
The good news is Texas and its leaders are positioning the state to be the national leader in advanced nuclear energy. Through university-led initiatives, state investment and strong bipartisan support, the momentum for more investment in Texas advanced nuclear has never been greater.
As Jimmy Glotfelty, a former member of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, noted: “Everybody in the nuclear space would like to build plants here in Texas. We are the low regulatory, low cost state. We have the supply chain. We have the labor.” Simply put, we know how to build big things.
My company, X-energy, is proposing to install next-generation nuclear facilities in Texas at commercial scale. We will provide Dow’s UCC Seadrift manufacturing site in Calhoun County with reliable and clean power and industrial steam with our Xe-100 small modular reactors.
Three years ago, China beat the U.S. and connected its first commercial advanced nuclear reactor to the grid. China’s nuclear program is growing faster than any other nation’s. If this trend persists, China will overtake the U.S. as the world’s top nuclear energy producer by 2030. We cannot let China win the advanced nuclear race, and we’re already well behind.
The Texas energy sector has underpinned America’s global dominance in many decades over the last century, supporting communities with good-paying jobs and bolstering national security by reducing our reliance on foreign energy sources. Nuclear is now a critical piece of this energy puzzle, and Texas can — indeed must — lead the next generation of this technology.
The time to expand nuclear energy in Texas is now.
J. Clay Sell is CEO of X-energy. He was deputy secretary of energy in the George W. Bush administration.
Texas
North Texas prepares for major World Cup operations
North Texas FIFA World Cup organizers say this week will bring the first visible signs of activity.
“Tomorrow is a very big day for us,” organizer Monica Paul said. “The move-in for the International Broadcast Center for the World Cup begins. So, they will start moving in a lot of trucks, a lot of building out will take place.”
“I feel like we’re ready for this,” organizer Dan Hunt said. “I mean, this city has been built for this.”
Thousands of media arriving soon
Organizers say that by mid-May, 3,500 broadcasters, media, and staff are expected to arrive at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
Transportation planning will involve coordination across multiple cities and agencies, as millions of fans are expected to move across the region once the tournament begins.
“A large stakeholder group has been taking shape to put this transportation plan together,” Paul said. “Our last mobility plan is due to FIFA at the end of March.”
Security effort spans all levels
Safety and security will involve local, state, and federal partners.
“We are working with the White House Task Force for the World Cup,” Paul said. “It was set up specifically to be our federal government liaison with the host cities to address any concerns.”
Organizers say they want to ensure international visitors feel welcome.
Fan festival to anchor celebrations
For fans without tickets, Fair Park will host the FIFA Fan Festival, a large-scale viewing and entertainment experience during the tournament. The full schedule is expected to be released next month.
“With the good fortune we have here, Dallas Stadium will have nine matches which is over 700,000 tickets,” Hunt said. “Fan fest down in Fair Park should do double that. Almost 1.5 million visitors.”
“What I’m excited about is our Fan Fest is estimated to be free to the public and that excites me because everyone who does not have a ticket can also benefit from the energy of celebrating the World Cup,” organizer Nina Vaca said.
Long‑term goals beyond the tournament
With a projected $2.1 billion economic impact, organizers say the broader goal is to grow the game of soccer in North Texas long after the final match.
Texas
Texas Democrats demand AG investigation into X for alleged child sex content
The X logo on the X app formerly known as Twitter is seen in this photo illustration on 01 November, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
AUSTIN – Texas Democrat leaders are demanding that state Attorney General Ken Paxton investigate X, formerly Twitter, and the built-in chatbot Grok for alleged child sex abuse content being generated on the site.
The joint letter from the House leaders says sexualized material is being created at a rate that should trigger a Texas law that would require age verification to use the site.
Texas Democrats request X investigation
What we know:
The Monday letter, signed by 43 House Democrats, references reporting that claims investigators have observed around 7,750 sexualized images being generated per hour and at least one nonconsensual image per minute on X.
They note that Grok has been documented generating sexualized or “nudified” images of minors as well.
According to the House Democrats, other regulators, including those in Europe, have already launched their own queries into the social media site and chatbot. Additionally, they say, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has called on the DOJ and Federal Trade Commission to investigate X and Grok over the same concerns.
The letter says Texas has already established a standard for sites operating as they claim X does: House Bill 1181, enacted in 2023, requires websites where more than one-third of content is sexual material harmful to minors to use age-verification methods to ensure users are over 18.
Proposed investigation requirements
The letter asks Paxton to look into the following:
- Open a formal investigation into whether X, xAI, Grok, or related tools accessible in Texas are being used to create or distribute unlawful sexually explicit deepfakes, nonconsensual intimate imagery, and any AI-generated child sexual exploitation material, and whether platform design choices are facilitating that conduct.
- Investigate whether X is in compliance with Texas age verification requirements under HB 1181, including whether minors can access sexually explicit material or AI tools that generate sexual imagery without reasonable age verification.
- Issue a public enforcement and reporting pathway for victims and parents in Texas, including instructions to preserve evidence, how reports will be routed for rapid investigation when minors are involved, and a point of contact for legislative coordination.
- Provide written guidance to platforms operating in Texas on compliance expectations, including meaningful age gating for sexually explicit material, prompt removal pathways for victims, and cooperation with law enforcement.
What we don’t know:
Paxton has not yet issued a public response to the letter, or announced an investigation into the matter.
What parents and users should know
If you encounter sexualized images of minors or other abusive material online, report it immediately. In the United States, you can contact the FBI tip line or seek help from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Do not download, share, screenshot or interact with the content in any way. Even viewing or forwarding illegal material can expose you to serious legal risk.
Parents should also talk with children and teens about AI image tools and social media prompts. Many of these images are created through casual requests that do not feel dangerous at first. Teaching kids to report content, close the app and tell a trusted adult can stop harm from spreading further.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Texas House Democratic Caucus and previous reporting by Fox News.
Texas
Texas DPS arrests Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku
-
Montana4 days agoService door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
-
Technology1 week agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Delaware5 days agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Dallas, TX6 days agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Dallas, TX1 week agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Virginia4 days agoVirginia Tech gains commitment from ACC transfer QB
-
Iowa1 week agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star
-
Education1 week agoVideo: This Organizer Reclaims Counter Space