The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is actively collaborating with the federal government and international partners to introduce a new style of nuclear reactor to the United States. TVA President Jeff Lyash highlighted the Clinch River Nuclear Site as a groundbreaking project focused on the next generation of nuclear power.

The proposed nuclear reactor is designed to be smaller, allowing for the potential construction of multiple units across the region if approved by the federal government. According to Lyash, these small modular reactors offer advantages such as enhanced safety, increased reliability, shorter construction times, and lower costs compared to traditional reactors.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visited the Clinch River Nuclear site to express support for the project, emphasizing the importance of such reactors in achieving the country's goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Granholm stated that reactors like the one proposed at the Clinch River Nuclear Site are crucial for advancing the nation's clean energy objectives.

TVA has been actively working on this project for five years, and the timeline for implementation could span an additional five to seven years pending approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Lyash acknowledged that the costs associated with the project might impact millions of customers in Tennessee. He stressed the need for broader investment to support the nation's energy infrastructure.

Lyash anticipates that by 2030, when the proposed reactor could be operational, a significant portion of the economy might be based on the energy infrastructure. Secretary Granholm suggested that energy produced in the U.S. could potentially be exported to other countries, creating a substantial local market projected to reach $23 trillion by 2030.

TVA will submit a comprehensive project plan to the federal government, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will play a role in determining the overall cost and feasibility of completing the project.