US NRC approves construction of nation's first small modular nuclear reactor
GEV•The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a construction permit for the Tennessee Valley Authority to build a 300-megawatt small modular reactor at its Clinch River site in Tennessee. TVA will need a separate NRC operating license before loading fuel and beginning operations.
1. Construction permit approved
The NRC approved a construction permit for TVA to build the nation's first commercial small modular reactor at its Clinch River site in Roane County, Tennessee. TVA plans to build a 300-megawatt GE Vernova Hitachi boiling-water reactor to help meet growing regional power demand.
2. Operating license still needed
The permit followed a 14-month NRC review and marked the agency's second major reactor approval this year. TVA previously received an early site permit for Clinch River in 2019 and must obtain a separate operating license before loading fuel and beginning operations.
