Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
US approves construction of four small nuclear reactors at Texas plant
US regulators approved construction of four small nuclear reactors at a Dow chemical facility in Texas.
The reactors are being developed by X-energy, a startup seeking to bring its technology into commercial use.
Each reactor is designed to generate 80 megawatts of electricity, for a total of 320 megawatts, plus heat for industrial use.
The approval allows construction to begin, but it does not mean the facility can supply power yet.
Dow's installation is expected to enter service in the early 2030s, several years from now.
The project comes as demand for electricity grows with the expansion of AI computing facilities, which has increased interest in nuclear power.
Safety concerns remain unresolved, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, which criticized regulators for allowing construction before addressing key questions.
No small modular reactor currently operates commercially in the United States, so the project must still be built and pass regulatory oversight.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission authorized construction of four small modular reactors at a Dow industrial facility in Texas.
Each Xe-100 reactor is designed to generate 80 megawatts of electricity and 200 megawatts of thermal energy.
Together, the proposed reactors would provide 320 megawatts of electricity for the chemical manufacturer.
X-energy expects the installation to enter service in the early 2030s.
The Union of Concerned Scientists criticized the approval, saying critical safety questions remain unresolved.
- Who
- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission authorized construction. X-energy is developing the reactors for a Dow facility.
- What
- Construction of four Xe-100 small modular reactors was approved.
- When
- The approval was reported on November 14, 2026.
- Where
- A Dow industrial facility in Texas.
- Why
- The proposed installation would provide the chemical manufacturer with an additional source of industrial power.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission and X-energy
Union of Concerned Scientists
Safety review
Nuclear Regulatory Commission and X-energy
X-energy says the reactor design offers safety advantages over conventional nuclear systems.
Union of Concerned Scientists
The Union of Concerned Scientists says critical safety questions remain unresolved.
Construction approval
Nuclear Regulatory Commission and X-energy
The NRC authorized construction of the four reactors.
Union of Concerned Scientists
The Union of Concerned Scientists argued regulators should have resolved outstanding safety concerns before granting approval.
Amazon led a $500 million Series C-1 financing round for X-energy.
X-energy's initial public offering generated $1 billion in proceeds.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission authorized construction of four Xe-100 reactors at a Dow facility in Texas.
X-energy expects the Dow installation to enter service.
- Number of reactors
- 4
- Reactor model
- Xe-100
- Electricity per reactor
- 80 megawatts
- Combined electricity capacity
- 320 megawatts
- Location
- Dow industrial facility, Texas
- Expected service
- Early 2030s
What people are saying
The NRC only accomplished this feat by pushing consideration of critical safety questions to a later date,