Tennessee Valley Authority leads the charge with the first small modular nuclear reactor application in the US, showing how real energy solutions can circumvent liberal green energy delusions.
Key Takeaways
- TVA has submitted the first construction permit application in the US for a small modular nuclear reactor at its Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
- The project aims to address growing electricity demands in the Tennessee Valley while maintaining reliable, carbon-free power generation.
- Despite leftist opposition pushing less reliable solar and wind, TVA is investing $350 million in this nuclear technology with potential federal support of $800 million.
- The Clinch River site could eventually house four small reactors, with the first potentially operational by 2032, providing 300 megawatts of power.
- Ontario, Canada is already constructing similar reactors using the same GE Hitachi design that TVA plans to implement.
America’s First Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Takes Shape
The Tennessee Valley Authority has officially submitted a construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a small modular nuclear reactor at its Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This historic move makes TVA the first utility in the United States to formally seek permission to build this innovative type of nuclear power generator, positioning America to reclaim leadership in advanced energy technologies. The application represents a significant step toward energy independence that doesn’t rely on the unreliable green energy schemes that have caused rolling blackouts in liberal-run states like California.
TVA currently operates three large nuclear power plants that provide approximately 40% of the Tennessee Valley’s electricity. With this new initiative, the authority aims to meet the growing power demands of the region’s expanding population and industrial base, which is increasingly shifting to electric alternatives for transportation and manufacturing. The TVA projects needing between 10 to 26 additional gigawatts of generating capacity by 2035, a substantial increase that cannot be reliably met through wind and solar alone.
Overcoming Liberal Resistance to Nuclear Energy
Despite clear evidence that nuclear power provides the most reliable and carbon-free baseload electricity, leftist environmental groups continue to obstruct progress. The Environmental Working Group has attacked the project, with spokesperson Alex Formuzis calling small modular reactors “no bigger example of a money pit than the fantasy of small modular reactors.” This resistance ignores the reality that wind and solar cannot provide the consistent power generation needed to support American industry and maintain our energy independence.
“Nuclear power is very reliable, very resilient. It is carbon free. It is, what I would consider, one of the highest quality generating sources we have. And so starting a path forward not only helps others in America follow, but it can also help America lead the world in the new technology,” said TVA President and CEO Don Moul
The TVA’s board demonstrated serious commitment to this technology in 2022 by initiating a program to develop small modular nuclear reactors with an allocation of $350 million. This investment represents a realistic approach to energy generation that acknowledges the limitations of renewable energy sources while providing a pathway to reduce dependence on fossil fuels without sacrificing reliability. The fact is, when Americans flip a switch, they expect the lights to come on – regardless of whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing.
Federal Support and International Progress
The Biden administration, perhaps finally recognizing the failure of their green energy obsession, announced a $900 million investment in small modular reactors. The TVA and its partners have applied for $800 million of this funding to expedite the development process. While this federal support is welcome, it’s important to note that the private sector is leading this innovation, not government mandates. Meanwhile, Ontario, Canada has already begun constructing small nuclear reactors using the same “GE Hitachi design” that TVA plans to implement.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has already deemed the Clinch River site suitable for a new nuclear plant, with adequate space for four small reactors. If approved, the first reactor could be operational by 2032, providing 300 megawatts of power – enough to supply approximately 180,000 homes with reliable electricity regardless of weather conditions. Unlike previous nuclear projects that faced cost overruns and delays, these smaller, standardized designs promise more predictable construction timeframes and budgets, with costs expected to decrease with each additional reactor built.
A Path Forward for American Energy Independence
The TVA’s pioneering effort represents a pragmatic approach to America’s energy future that balances environmental concerns with the practical needs of a growing economy. While the liberal establishment continues to push expensive and unreliable renewable energy schemes that have failed everywhere they’ve been tried at scale, the TVA is backing a proven technology that can provide consistent, carbon-free power generation for decades to come. This project demonstrates that with the right leadership and investment in proven technologies, America can achieve true energy independence without sacrificing economic growth or grid reliability.
