The U.S. Department of Energy announced on Tuesday that it selected a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) nuclear site as one of two places to help develop advanced light-water small modular reactors.
TVA’s Clinch River Nuclear site, along with Holtec Government Services’ Palisades Nuclear Generating Station site in Michigan, will each receive $400 million from the federal government to develop these nuclear reactors.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said President Donald Trump wants America to “build more energy” and “nuclear is central to that mission.”
“Advanced light-water SMRs will give our nation the reliable, round-the-clock power we need to fuel the President’s manufacturing boom, support data centers and AI growth, and reinforce a stronger, more secure electric grid,” he noted. “These awards ensure we can deploy these reactors as soon as possible.”
TVA CEO Don Moul said TVA employees “are leading the way with advanced nuclear to power not just homes and businesses, but the technologies that will define America’s future.”
“As AI, data centers, and digital infrastructure drive unprecedented energy demand, we’re building our nation’s nuclear energy foundation right here in the Tennessee Valley,” Moul stated.
“This is about more than innovation, it’s about creating lasting opportunity, lowering energy costs, and securing a better tomorrow for American families today,” he added.
TVA will develop the GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300, which GE Vernova describes as a small modular reactor that can be a “source of electricity generation capable of powering communities across the globe.”
On top of this, the Clinch River Nuclear site will help develop additional small modular reactors with Indiana Michigan Power and Elementl.
In reaction to the news, Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) celebrated the federal government’s decision to fund the development of small modular reactors in Tennessee.
Blackburn said the Volunteer State is “leading the way to deliver reliable, affordable, and secure energy for the American people.”
“The Tennessee Valley Authority will play a critical part in shaping our country’s nuclear energy future, and I’m thrilled the TVA has been selected for a grant from the Department of Energy to accelerate the deployment of a small modular reactor at the Clinch River site,” she noted.
Hagerty said Tennessee is “positioned to lead the next era of nuclear energy.”
“President Trump’s leadership has helped renew momentum in America’s nuclear sector and support the resurgence of our industrial base. I look forward to seeing Tennessee play a central role in shaping the future of nuclear power for the country,” he added.
Fleischmann said America “needs more power” and that the only way the country will support “future energy demands” is by having nuclear “at the forefront” of its energy policy.
“TVA and East Tennessee are primed to spearhead the deployment of next-generation SMRs that will fundamentally change America’s energy future,” he stated.
As a company, TVA is attempting to increase its nuclear capabilities.
TVA announced a nuclear energy expansion plan in September that will provide electricity to millions of homes.
Tennessee is becoming a place where many nuclear companies are investing.
In September, Oklo said it would invest nearly $2 billion in the state and create over 800 jobs. Oklo is building America’s first privately funded nuclear recycling-capable facility.
A month later, Radiant chose Tennessee as the site for a $280 million expansion of its nuclear manufacturing operations, creating 175 new jobs.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at zschmidt1717@gmail.com.
Photo “Tennessee Valley Authority Facility” by Tennessee Valley Authority.
