X-energy technology advances with new US nuclear reactor permits

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a construction permit for a four-reactor nuclear facility in Calhoun County, Texas. The Long Mott Generating Station will utilize Xe-100 small modular reactors developed by X-energy to serve Dow’s Seadrift Operations site. This project marks the first approval for a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) in nearly 60 years. The facility is designed to provide high-temperature steam for industrial processes while exporting surplus electricity to the grid.

In a separate development, the Cascade Advanced Energy project aims to install four Xe-100 reactors near Richland, Washington, on the Department of Energy’s Hanford Reservation. This project, involving Energy Northwest and supported by strategic funding from Amazon, is estimated to cost over $2 billion. Fluor Corporation has been appointed for engineering and design services, while Cascade Nuclear Partners will manage integration work. The Washington project is currently in the pre-application stage with the NRC.