NRC Issues First High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Permit in 60 Years

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a historic construction permit for the Long Mott Generating Station, a proposed four-unit Xe-100 small modular reactor plant. Located at Dow's Seadrift site, the project marks the first NRC approval for a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor in nearly 60 years and the first-ever approval for a pebble-bed reactor and nuclear industrial deployment in the United States.

Developed by X-energy and Dow under the United States Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, the facility is designed to provide electricity and high-temperature steam to the industrial site for 60 years. The permit allows the companies to finalize the design and mature the supply chain before Dow considers a preliminary investment decision in 2027. Full-scale construction is targeted for the early 2030s, provided a final investment decision is reached.

NRC Chairman Ho K. Nieh noted the permit is the first of its kind in more than half a century. X-energy and Dow officials praised the NRC for a thorough and efficient review process, while the Department of Energy stated the milestone strengthens American energy leadership and expands the role of nuclear energy in meeting national energy demands.