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NRC Approves Construction Permit for Dow's Xe-100 Nuclear Plant in Texas

NRC Approves Construction Permit for Dow's Xe-100 Nuclear Plant in Texas

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a construction permit for the Long Mott Generating Station, an advanced nuclear power plant planned at Dow's Seadrift manufacturing complex in Texas. This approval marks a significant regulatory milestone, being the first U.S. construction permit for a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor in nearly 60 years. The facility, developed by Long Mott Energy (a Dow subsidiary) in collaboration with X-energy, will feature four Xe-100 small modular reactors (SMRs). Each reactor is designed to produce 80 MWe of electrical output and approximately 200 MWt of thermal output, totaling 320 MWe and 800 MWt. The plant aims to supply both electricity and high-temperature steam directly to Dow's industrial operations, replacing aging energy and steam-generation assets. The Xe-100 reactor uses helium as its primary coolant and graphite as its neutron moderator, with TRISO-X coated particle fuel in a pebble-bed core, allowing for online refueling. This project is part of ...
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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves First Advanced Nuclear Reactor Construction at Industrial Site

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves First Advanced Nuclear Reactor Construction at Industrial Site

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved the construction of four Xe-100 advanced nuclear reactors by X-energy at a Texas industrial site owned by Dow Chemical. This marks the first time an advanced nuclear reactor has been approved for construction at an industrial site in the United States. The reactors, part of the Long Mott Generating Station, are designed to generate 80 megawatts of electricity and 200 megawatts of heat each, utilizing helium as a coolant to operate safely at higher temperatures. The approval process for this joint application by X-energy and Dow Chemical was completed in less than 18 months, a record pace for contested hearings, reflecting efforts to streamline U.S. nuclear regulation. The Xe-100 is a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that uses advanced TRISO-X coated particle fuel, providing a safety profile that allows for a significantly smaller emergency planning zone compared to conventional light-water reactors. While the construction permit has been issued, ...
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X-energy and Dow Receive NRC Construction Permit for Four Xe-100 SMRs in Texas

X-energy and Dow Receive NRC Construction Permit for Four Xe-100 SMRs in Texas

X-energy and Dow Receive NRC Construction Permit for Four Xe-100 SMRs in Texas
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NRC Accelerates Advanced Nuclear Reactor Approvals, Issuing First Construction Permit for Industrial Site in Decades

NRC Accelerates Advanced Nuclear Reactor Approvals, Issuing First Construction Permit for Industrial Site in Decades

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has significantly accelerated its approval process for advanced nuclear reactors, marking a major shift in the U.S. nuclear energy industry. In a compressed timeframe, three advanced reactor developers received crucial regulatory clearances. Most notably, X-Energy and Dow secured the first construction permit ever issued by the NRC for an advanced nuclear plant located at an operating industrial facility. This permit allows for the construction of four Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactors at Dow’s Seadrift site in Texas. Each unit is designed to produce 80 megawatts electric and 200 megawatts thermal, intended to supply both electricity and high-temperature process steam to Dow’s chemical complex. This approval is significant as it is the first construction permit for a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor in nearly six decades, the first for a pebble-bed design, and the first for an advanced reactor co-located with active industrial operations. The review proc...
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X-energy Reports Strong Q3 2026 Results, Advances Advanced Nuclear Reactor and Fuel Technology

X-energy Reports Strong Q3 2026 Results, Advances Advanced Nuclear Reactor and Fuel Technology

X-energy Reports Strong Q3 2026 Results, Advances Advanced Nuclear Reactor and Fuel Technology
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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Issues Landmark Construction Permit for Dow Chemical's Texas SMR Plant

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Issues Landmark Construction Permit for Dow Chemical's Texas SMR Plant

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Issues Landmark Construction Permit for Dow Chemical's Texas SMR Plant
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Oklo's Groves-1 Test Reactor Receives Full DOE Clearance for Unrestricted Operations, Advancing Nuclear Research and Training

Oklo's Groves-1 Test Reactor Receives Full DOE Clearance for Unrestricted Operations, Advancing Nuclear Research and Training

Oklo Inc. has received full operational clearance from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its Groves Isotope Test Reactor, known as Groves-1, located in Texas. This approval allows the advanced nuclear company to begin unrestricted research, equipment testing, and staff training at the facility. Groves-1 achieved first criticality in August 2026 under the DOE's Reactor Pilot Program, marking it as the first project under this federal program to reach this milestone on private land and demonstrating the ability to bring a nuclear project from groundbreaking to operational readiness in less than a year. The reactor will now serve as a working laboratory to evaluate technologies and operating procedures for future isotope reactors and Oklo's Aurora fast fission powerhouses.
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Oklo Inc. Receives DOE Clearance for Groves Isotope Test Reactor, Advancing Research and Training Phases

Oklo Inc. Receives DOE Clearance for Groves Isotope Test Reactor, Advancing Research and Training Phases

Oklo Inc. Receives DOE Clearance for Groves Isotope Test Reactor, Advancing Research and Training Phases
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Texas Gulf Coast Sees Major LNG Infrastructure Expansion Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

Texas Gulf Coast Sees Major LNG Infrastructure Expansion Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

Texas Gulf Coast Sees Major LNG Infrastructure Expansion Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
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NRC Issues First Construction Permit for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor in Decades to Dow and X-energy Project

NRC Issues First Construction Permit for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor in Decades to Dow and X-energy Project

NRC Issues First Construction Permit for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor in Decades to Dow and X-energy Project
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NRC Issues First High-Temperature Gas Reactor Construction Permit in 60 Years for Texas Facility

NRC Issues First High-Temperature Gas Reactor Construction Permit in 60 Years for Texas Facility

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a construction permit for the Long Mott Generating Station in Calhoun County, Texas. This marks the first construction permit for a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) in nearly 60 years. The facility, developed by Long Mott Energy, a subsidiary of Dow, will feature four Xe-100 small modular reactors (SMRs) designed by X-energy. The primary purpose of the 320 MWe facility is to supply high-temperature steam for industrial processes at Dow's Seadrift Operations site, with any surplus electricity being exported to the grid. This approval is the third advanced reactor construction permit issued by the NRC in 2026 and the first for a multi-module advanced reactor facility. The Xe-100 reactors utilize helium as a coolant and graphite pebbles containing tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles, allowing for online refueling.
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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves Construction Permit for X-energy's Small Modular Reactors at Dow Site

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves Construction Permit for X-energy's Small Modular Reactors at Dow Site

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves Construction Permit for X-energy's Small Modular Reactors at Dow Site