TVA First U.S. Utility Applies for Small Modular Reactor Permit

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has become the first utility in the U.S. to submit a construction permit application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a small modular reactor (SMR) at its Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The SMR, a GE Hitachi BWRX-300 design, promises enhanced safety, lower costs, and flexibility compared to traditional large nuclear plants, with the potential to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 175,000 homes. TVA views the SMR as a critical step toward meeting increasing regional electricity demand, supporting carbon-free energy goals, and providing a model to accelerate SMR deployment nationwide. The project has received significant investment, including $350 million from TVA for SMR development, and is part of a broader strategy to replace retiring fossil fuel plants and support economic growth. Meanwhile, Purdue University's research reactor in Indiana is pioneering digital control technologies that future reactors, including advanced SMRs, may adopt to improve safety, reduce costs, and extend operational lifespans, demonstrating progress in nuclear innovation. This development underscores a growing momentum in the U.S. nuclear sector toward advanced, carbon-free energy solutions.