The $2.4bn Dow and X-energy Advanced Nuclear project at Seadrift, Texas has received NRC environmental clearance. The move comes after the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has completed its Environmental Assessment for the project. Long Mott Generating Station is being developed through Dow’s wholly owned subsidiary, Long Mott Energy, LLC.
Furthermore, it will be under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). The proposed project would provide both electricity and high-temperature industrial steam to Dow’s UCC Seadrift Operations. Once complete, it is expected to power the production of more than 4 billion pounds of materials per year.
The Long Mott Generating Station is also expected to be the first grid-scale advanced nuclear reactor deployed to serve an industrial site in North America. The environmental clearance followed independent analysis by NRC staff, evaluating potential impacts to air quality, water resources and local species habitats. Nuclear energy projects are advancing across the US as the Three Mile Island restart project takes shape. US Senator Senator McCormick noted that the project could be active as early as mid-2027. The senator noted these remarks as he got a look behind the scenes at the facility, home to the country’s worst commercial nuclear accident.
Scope of Implementation on the Dow and X-energy Advanced Nuclear Project
The environmental clearance on the Dow and X-energy Advanced Nuclear project has been hailed as a significant achievement. “This is a significant milestone for the Long Mott Energy project, and we appreciate the comprehensive and efficient manner in which the NRC conducted its assessment,” said Edward Stones, business vice president, Energy & Climate, Dow.
“We are another step closer to expanding access to safe, clean, reliable, cost-competitive nuclear energy in the U.S.” He also noted the approval establishes a replicable pathway for increased efficiency in the licensing process. The project entails deploying a four-unit, 320-megawatt small modular reactor (SMR) plant. The reactors are expected to power Dow’s 4,700-acre chemical manufacturing facility with clean electricity and high-temperature industrial steam. The facility will feature four of X-energy’s Generation IV Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGR).
Moreover, they will use advanced TRISO particle fuel and feature passive safety systems. Combined, the reactors will supply 320 megawatts of electricity and up to 800 megawatts of thermal power. They are also designed to directly replace aging, end-of-life energy and steam infrastructure at the Seadrift site. The transition to nuclear energy aims to eliminate roughly 1.1 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually. It will also effectively decarbonize most of the site’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
Project Factsheet
- Project Name: Long Mott Generating Station
- Location: Seadrift, Texas, USA
- Estimated Investment Value: $2.4 Billion
- Project Type: Advanced Nuclear / Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Power Plant
Timeline
- 2026: NRC Environmental Assessment completed and environmental clearance issued
- Development Phase: Advancing under U.S. DOE Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP)
- Future Operations: Planned deployment as first grid-scale advanced nuclear reactor serving an industrial site in North America
Site & Scale
- Site Area: Approximately 4,700 acres
- Generating Capacity: 320 MW electric output
- Thermal Capacity: Up to 800 MW thermal power
- Reactor Configuration: Four-unit SMR facility
Project Teams
- Developer: Long Mott Energy LLC (Dow subsidiary)
- Industrial Partner: Dow
- Reactor Technology Partner: X-energy
- Regulatory Authority: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
- Program Support: U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP)
Infrastructure Scope
- Construction of four Xe-100 Generation IV reactors
- Deployment of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technology
- Use of advanced TRISO particle fuel
- Passive nuclear safety systems implementation
- Electricity generation infrastructure
- Replacement of aging steam and energy systems at Dow’s Seadrift facility
Strategic Objectives
- Provide reliable clean electricity for industrial operations
- Supply high-temperature steam for chemical manufacturing
- Reduce dependence on fossil-fuel-based industrial energy systems
Current Status
- NRC environmental clearance officially issued
- Environmental assessment completed covering air, water, and habitat impacts
- Project advancing through federal licensing and development stages
- Dow and X-energy moving closer toward final deployment approvals
