Texas Gets Four New Mini Nuclear Reactors Fast-Tracked
Published Date: 5/20/2026
Notice
Summary
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission gave the green light for Long Mott Energy to build four new small, high-tech nuclear reactors in Texas. They found no big environmental problems and waived some usual paperwork to speed things up. This means construction can start soon, bringing new energy and jobs without extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Four Xe-100 Reactors Proposed in Seadrift
The Long Mott Generating Station construction-permit application proposes building four Xe-100 small modular, helium-cooled, high-temperature reactors at a site in Seadrift, Texas. LME stated the project is intended to replace an adjacent natural-gas fired cogeneration plant that currently provides steam and electricity to Seadrift Operations and to demonstrate the Xe-100 reactor under the Department of Energy program.
No Significant Environmental Impact Found
The NRC prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on May 18, 2026 for the Long Mott Generating Station project and concluded the environmental impacts would be SMALL across the evaluated resource areas. The NRC also determined that the projected effects of climate change would not alter those impact determinations.
EIS Requirement Temporarily Waived
The NRC granted one-time exemptions on May 18, 2026 from 10 CFR 51.20(b)(1), 10 CFR 51.25, and 10 CFR 51.75(a) to allow issuance of an EA and FONSI instead of preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Long Mott Generating Station construction-permit review. The exemptions are effective May 18, 2026 and the NRC stated these exemptions are authorized by law and in the public interest.
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