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Nuclear energy

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Accepts Tennessee Valley Authority's Small Modular Reactor Permit Application

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accepted the Tennessee Valley Authority's construction permit application for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor at its Clinch River site in Tennessee. The NRC expects to complete its review of the application by December 2026, with the goal of conducting an efficient and high-quality safety review. The NRC has identified several factors that could affect its timeline for completing the review, including the resolution of complex technical issues and unanticipated changes to the scope of the review or design changes. The Tennessee Valley Authority received an early site permit in 2019 to build two or more SMRs at the 935-acre Clinch River nuclear site, near the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Nuclear Reservation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accepted the Tennessee Valley Authority's construction permit application for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor at its Clinch River site in Tennessee.
  • The NRC expects to complete its review of the application by December 2026, with a goal of conducting an efficient and high-quality safety review.
  • The NRC has identified several factors that could affect its timeline for completing the review, including the resolution of complex technical issues and unanticipated changes to the scope of the review or design changes.
  • The Tennessee Valley Authority received an early site permit in 2019 to build two or more SMRs at the 935-acre Clinch River nuclear site.
  • The BWRX-300 is a 300-MWe unit designed with built-in natural circulation and passive cooling technology and an expected lifespan of 60 years.
  • TVA's president and CEO, Don Moul, has stated that TVA looks forward to working with the administration to accelerate advanced nuclear technologies that are key to the nation's energy security.
  • The NRC will provide an opportunity to request a hearing or petition to intervene in the application process after the construction permit application is published in the Federal Register.

Statistics:

  • The NRC expects to complete its review of the application by December 2026.
  • The Tennessee Valley Authority has received an early site permit to build two or more SMRs at the 935-acre Clinch River nuclear site.
  • The BWRX-300 is a 300-MWe unit designed with built-in natural circulation and passive cooling technology and an expected lifespan of 60 years.
  • The Clinch River nuclear site is located near the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Nuclear Reservation.
  • TVA has become the first U.S. company to apply for a construction permit for the BWRX-300 and the second in North America.

Sources:

  • American Nuclear Society (ANS)
  • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
  • GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy
  • Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

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