Dow is in at the NRC.
The chemicals and plastics industrial giant announced in March that it would work with advanced nuclear firm X-energy to transition an industrial plant in Seadrift, TX to nuclear power. Now, the NRC has confirmed that it’s on board. The commission accepted—or docketed—the construction permit application for review this week.
“The construction permit application is a critical step to deliver on the vision of Congress and DOE to position the US at the forefront of commercializing advanced reactor technology,” J. Clay Sell, X-energy CEO, said in a statement when the license application was submitted in March.
“Together with our world-class partner, Dow, we will demonstrate how the technology deployed at Seadrift, Texas, can be quickly and efficiently replicated to meet incredible power demand growth across America.”
Industrials go nuclear: Manufacturing is undergoing a transformation in the US, and that active growth requires a lot of new energy. Industrial operations are a key customer area for advanced nuclear firms like X-energy, which can provide on-site, reliable, clean power to keep factories running.
The partnership with Dow through its Long Mott Energy subsidiary would have X-energy build four Xe-100 reactors in Seadrift to power an existing industrial plant. It would also be X-energy’s first SMR deployment.
What now? Docketing is the first step in the NRC’s review of Dow’s construction permit application. The commission will now undergo a lengthy review process. Dow is hoping to begin construction within five years.
Lead Reporter of Ignition
