Fermi America has announced a partnership with Westinghouse Electric Company to move forward with a major nuclear energy project in Amarillo, Texas. The collaboration centers on finalizing the Combined Operating License Application (COLA) for the deployment of four advanced modular AP1000 reactors at Fermi America’s hyperscale campus.
According to officials, both companies will work together to complete and support the COLA documentation that Fermi America submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on June 17, 2025. The application represents a key step in the multi-year regulatory review process that governs the licensing of new nuclear facilities in the United States.
Fermi America, co-founded by investor Toby Neugebauer, framed the move as both a technological milestone and a patriotic commitment to strengthening U.S. nuclear energy capabilities. “Fermi’s decision to collaborate with Westinghouse answers President Trump’s call to ‘Make America Nuclear Again,’” Neugebauer stated in the company’s announcement. He emphasized the project’s location advantages, noting its proximity to Pantex, the Department of Energy site that has managed the nation’s nuclear arsenal since 1951. He also pointed to the strong regional energy workforce, describing Amarillo as an ideal hub for next-generation nuclear power development.
The reactors in question—the AP1000 design developed by Westinghouse—are regarded as some of the most advanced nuclear technologies currently available. The AP1000 is the only operating Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, a modular construction design, and a small physical footprint relative to the amount of power it produces. These features are intended to enhance safety, reduce costs, and speed up deployment timelines compared to older reactor designs.
Fermi America officials highlighted that Westinghouse’s track record was a decisive factor in the partnership. “Partnering with Westinghouse, the global leader behind the fully licensed AP1000 design, marks a critical milestone in our project execution,” said Mesut Uzman, Chief Nuclear Construction Officer at Fermi America. “Their technical excellence and proven delivery give us confidence in achieving regulatory clearance and advancing our deployment strategy efficiently and safely.”
Globally, the AP1000 has already been tested in practice. Six units are currently in commercial operation, where they have been setting records for performance and reliability. An additional 14 AP1000 reactors are under construction, with five more under contract. The design has been selected by several nations as part of their nuclear expansion strategies, including Poland, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. Multiple sites in Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America are also preparing to adopt the technology.
For the U.S., the Amarillo project represents an opportunity to re-establish leadership in nuclear energy development at a time when many countries are reassessing their energy mix. Nuclear advocates argue that next-generation reactors can provide steady, carbon-free baseload power to complement renewable sources like wind and solar, while also supporting industrial-scale energy demand from data centers, defense operations, and manufacturing.
The proposed facility aligns with Fermi America’s vision of creating a hyperscale energy campus capable of supporting high-intensity computing and other advanced industries. By co-locating with Pantex and leveraging the regional infrastructure, Fermi America hopes to create both economic and strategic value. Supporters argue that if approved, the project could deliver thousands of construction jobs, long-term operational employment, and expanded training opportunities for skilled trades in the Texas Panhandle.
The partnership also comes amid broader national conversations about modernizing the U.S. nuclear fleet. While the country still generates about 20% of its electricity from nuclear power, much of that capacity comes from aging plants built decades ago. Few new reactors have been licensed and built in recent years, due to regulatory hurdles, high upfront costs, and political debate. Proponents of advanced modular designs like the AP1000 believe those challenges can be addressed through standardization, safety improvements, and global supply chains.
The NRC review of Fermi America’s license application is expected to take several years, with rigorous technical and safety evaluations at each stage. If approved, construction of the Amarillo reactors could begin later in the decade.
For now, the announcement signals momentum for a project that seeks to blend U.S. nuclear history with advanced energy innovation. As Neugebauer put it, the goal is to make Amarillo a “premier place to build safe, new nuclear power”—a move that, if realized, could mark a significant chapter in America’s evolving energy landscape.
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