The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) received approval Tuesday from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to construct the nation’s first commercial small modular reactor (SMR) at its Clinch River site near Oak Ridge.
The NRC issued a construction permit for Clinch River Unit 1, a 300-megawatt GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy BWRX-300 boiling-water reactor. The permit clears TVA to move forward with construction.
We are the first utility in the U.S. to be issued a construction permit by the @NRCgov for the BWRX-300 small modular reactor, paving the way for advancing new nuclear innovation and enhancing America’s energy security.
This achievement was made possible through strong… pic.twitter.com/qNwGofhj1w
— Tennessee Valley Authority (@TVAnews) September 29, 2026
The NRC said it completed its review of TVA’s application in 14 months after formally beginning the review in July 2025. The agency said its staff completed a comprehensive safety evaluation in June 2026 and determined that TVA’s application met all regulatory requirements.
The NRC also held a public hearing in Oak Ridge in August as part of its modernized mandatory hearing process.
“Four months ahead of schedule is what the new NRC looks like,” NRC Chairman Ho K. Nieh said. “Today’s Clinch River decision demonstrates that the new NRC can make rigorous and credible safety decisions that enable major American nuclear projects to move forward.”
The construction permit marks only the second advanced reactor construction permit ever issued in the U.S., according to TVA.
“This construction permit is more than a regulatory achievement – it’s foundational for America’s nuclear future,” TVA Interim President and CEO Mike Skaggs said. “We are proud to be part of this effort to partner with the NRC, GVH and the Administration to explore the opportunities of new nuclear as we continue to serve the Valley region and the nation.”
TVA previously received an early site permit for the Clinch River site in 2019. Before the reactor can load fuel or begin operating, TVA must receive a separate operating license from the NRC.
The BWRX-300 is designed to generate up to 300 megawatts of electricity, approximately one-third the size of traditional nuclear units. TVA said SMRs can use factory-built components that are transported to a site for assembly, potentially reducing construction time, cost, and complexity. The reactors also incorporate passive safety features and can require less land and water than larger nuclear units.
The Clinch River site is located near the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which TVA described as placing the project near the center of U.S. nuclear research and innovation.
Honored to join @NRCgov & @TVAnews to celebrate TN becoming the first state in America to build a Small Modular Reactor.
We’re grateful for this partnership that marks the next chapter in our state’s legacy of innovation & will strengthen America’s energy security. pic.twitter.com/KhaHWvUXqG
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) September 29, 2026
Governor Bill Lee highlighted the project’s significance for the Volunteer State’s role in nuclear energy and its potential impact on the state’s future.
“Tennessee has the legacy and expertise to lead America’s nuclear future, and today’s milestone brings that vision closer to reality,” Lee said. “The Clinch River project represents the next chapter in our state’s legacy of innovation, strengthening America’s energy security and creating opportunity for generations to come.”
Tennessee’s congressional delegation also welcomed the permit.
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said the project brings TVA “one step closer” to building an SMR capable of providing energy to Tennessee homes and businesses, while U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) said the NRC’s approach could help accelerate nuclear technology investment and further establish Tennessee as a center for nuclear innovation.
U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) said TVA is leading in nuclear deployment and described affordable, reliable energy as important to economic prosperity and national security.
U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) said the permit clears a regulatory hurdle for future projects and highlighted the jobs expected to result from the project, adding, “Nuclear energy is national security.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
