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, ...
