TVA Takes Major Step Towards Nation’s First Small Modular Reactor

September 18, 2025

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has submitted a construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for one of the nation’s first small modular reactors (SMRs). This marks a significant milestone, potentially paving the way for wider adoption of this advanced nuclear technology in the United States.

Key Takeaways

TVA is the first U.S. utility to apply for a construction permit for an SMR.
The proposed reactor is GE Vernova Hitachi’s BWRX-300 design.
The project is located at TVA’s Clinch River site near Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
The NRC’s review is the next critical step before construction can begin.

A Historic Application

TVA submitted its comprehensive application to the NRC in late May. This submission follows their earlier success in securing the nation’s first early site permit for an SMR, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy. The NRC’s acceptance of the application means the agency will now conduct a full safety review of the GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 design.

The BWRX-300 Technology

The BWRX-300 is described as the only boiling water SMR design currently under development in the United States. It is a 300-megawatt-electric advanced light-water system, representing a smaller and more simplified version of GE Vernova Hitachi’s established Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor. A key advantage highlighted is its ability to leverage existing supply chains, which could accelerate deployment.

TVA has been collaborating globally on this technology, including with Ontario Power Generation, which is also planning to build four BWRX-300 reactors in Canada, with commercial operation expected by the end of 2029.

Future Outlook and Potential Impact

"This is an exciting step to bringing the nation’s first utility-led SMR online," stated Don Moul, TVA President and CEO. "As the first utility in the United States to have a construction permit application under review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the BWRX-300 reactor, this will create a path for other utilities to deploy the reactor — ensuring energy security and reliable electricity for all."

TVA anticipates that preliminary site preparation work at the Clinch River site could commence as early as next year, while the NRC completes its review. Some critics have raised concerns about potential hazards due to political pressure to expedite the review process, but TVA and supporters emphasize the safety and reliability benefits of SMRs. The U.S. Department of Energy is actively supporting the deployment of next-generation nuclear power systems like SMRs to provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy.