TVA Receives First U.S. Construction Permit for Small Modular Nuclear Reactor

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has achieved a significant milestone in the U.S. nuclear energy sector with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issuing a construction permit for Unit 1 at its Clinch River Nuclear Site. The facility will utilize GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy's BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) technology.

TVA is now the first U.S. utility to receive authorization for the construction of a BWRX-300 SMR. While no specific construction start date has been announced, this permit marks only the second construction permit for an advanced reactor ever issued in the United States. The permit pertains to the Clinch River site near Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

This development is seen as a crucial step in advancing America's nuclear energy capabilities and strengthening national energy security. TVA Interim President and CEO Mike Skaggs stated that the permit is foundational for the future of nuclear energy in the U.S. Matt Rasmussen, TVA's Chief Nuclear Officer, acknowledged the NRC's transparent and effective evaluation process for advancing next-generation nuclear technologies.

The Clinch River site's proximity to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory places it at the center of nuclear innovation in the U.S. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee highlighted the project as the next chapter in the state's legacy of innovation, contributing to energy security. U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, along with U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann, expressed support for the project, emphasizing its role in providing clean, reliable energy and enhancing national security.