NRC issues first US construction permit for a BWRX-300 at TVA's Clinch River site

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit on September 29, 2026 to the Tennessee Valley Authority for one BWRX-300 small modular reactor at its Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It is the first construction permit issued in the United States for this design. TVA applied in April 2025, and the release gives no construction start or operation dates.

• First US construction permit for a BWRX-300, a 300 MW boiling water SMR designed by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy
• One unit at TVA's Clinch River site, building on TVA's existing early site permit
• TVA submitted its application in April 2025; the NRC decision followed an extensive review
• No construction start or operation dates given in the release