Dow and X-Energy Submit NRC Permit for Texas SMR

Author

Slice of Energy Team
April 07, 2025

Key Highlights:

  • Dow and X-energy submitted a construction permit to the NRC for the Xe-100 SMR project in Seadrift, Texas.

  • Project aims to replace aging power assets with clean, reliable nuclear energy at Dow’s UCC1 Seadrift site.

  • Supported by the U.S. DOE’s ARDP program to accelerate advanced reactor deployment.

  • Potential first grid-scale SMR for an industrial site in North America.

  • Construction could begin once NRC approval and financial targets are met.

Source: PR Newswire

Notable Quotes:

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"This is an important next step in expanding access to safe, clean, reliable, cost-competitive nuclear energy in the U.S."

Edward Stones, Business Vice President, Energy & Climate at Dow
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"The construction permit application is a critical step to deliver on the vision of Congress and DOE to position the U.S. at the forefront of commercializing advanced reactor technology."

J. Clay Sell, Chief Executive Officer at X-energy

Why This Matters:

This construction permit marks a pivotal step in commercializing advanced nuclear technologies in the United States. Dow’s Seadrift SMR project, in collaboration with X-energy, could become the first operational grid-scale small modular reactor serving an industrial site in North America. Beyond significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions, it exemplifies the potential of nuclear innovation to provide stable, carbon-free power and support industrial decarbonization at scale.