(Alton Wallace, The Center Square) – Private startup ONE Nuclear Energy on Tuesday announced it plans to build a second large power generation unit in Louisiana, this one named Project Amberjack, a 1-gigawatt small modular reactor campus that would be located somewhere in the Ascension-Iberville industrial corridor.

Last week, Florida-based ONE Nuclear announced Project Cayman, a separate 2.88-gigawatt natural gas power plant with battery storage co-located at a planned data center along the Mississippi River that could be converted to nuclear generation at a later date as technologies mature.

“Amberjack is the clearest expression of who ONE Nuclear is and why the company was created,” said Chris Hansmeyer, Chief Development Officer of ONE Nuclear, in a statement published in the Financial Times. “This is not a conceptual pin on a map. It is a controlled site supported by completed initial siting work and a defined path into engineering, community engagement and federal licensing,” Hansmeyer said.

The company said the focus now is on conducting additional studies to determine the requirements of a fully licensable site and engagement with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other government agencies.

“Following our recent Project Cayman announcement, securing the Amberjack site reinforces our commitment to advancing scalable energy projects within our wider Louisiana Platform, in a state that is actively positioning itself to lead America’s nuclear renaissance,” Hansmeyer said.

In an interview with the Baton Rouge Business Report, Hansmeyer said the company will spend the next three months meeting with parish officials, Louisiana landowners, and area residents. The ONE Nuclear executive said strong local partnerships and community transparency are essential.

“The state’s Nuclear Strategic Framework prioritizes advanced reactor deployment, industrial growth, nuclear manufacturing, workforce development and energy security, while Governor Jeff Landry’s “Whole-of-Louisiana Energy Strategy” calls for a streamlined pathway to embrace energy innovation such as modular nuclear technologies in support of American global energy dominance,” said Hansmeyer. “Project Amberjack reflects many attributes emphasized by that strategy, including Mississippi River access, an established energy workforce, regional transportation infrastructure and proximity to a major transmission corridor.”

The company said a final investment decision on Project Amberjack will be made after selection of the nuclear technology, financing is arranged, and the project successfully completes federal and state licensing processes.