# NRC Approves Texas SMR Construction

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved X-energy’s construction permit for four Xe-100 small modular reactors at a Dow chemical plant in Texas. Each reactor is designed to produce 80 MW of electricity and 200 MW of heat, but the project is not expected to operate until the early 2030s. The permit marks progress toward an industrial nuclear project, while the signal identifies no open solicitation or contract value and notes that safety reviews remain unresolved.

- Contractors and suppliers can assess whether their nuclear construction, component, and industrial project capabilities may fit future supply-chain needs; the long delivery timeline makes this a prospective rather than immediate opportunity.
- Procurement teams should distinguish the construction permit from an open contract opportunity: no solicitation, contract value, or contract number is identified.
- The unresolved safety reviews are a project consideration for firms evaluating participation and delivery assumptions.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 10, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

### Vendors
- X-energy (SMR project developer)
- Dow ()

### Key Quotes
> The NRC only accomplished this feat by pushing consideration of critical safety questions to a later date—issues the NRC should’ve fully resolved before green lighting construction.
> — Edwin Lyman, Director of Nuclear Power Safety

### Sources
- [X-energy gets green light to build its first small modular nuclear reactors | TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/10/x-energy-gets-green-light-to-build-its-first-small-modular-nuclear-reactors) - TechCrunch