The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a construction permit for the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) planned GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) at the Clinch River site in Tennessee, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for what could become the country’s first commercial SMR.

The NRC said its decision “paves the way for the nation's first commercial small modular reactor” and confirmed that it completed the licensing review in 14 months, four months ahead of its scheduled timeline, reported World Nuclear News.

NRC Chairman Ho Nieh said: "Today's Clinch River decision demonstrates that the new NRC can make rigorous and credible safety decisions that enable major American nuclear projects to move forward."

TVA, a government-owned power company, said it is now the first US utility to receive permission to construct a BWRX-300 reactor. The utility has not announced a construction start date and said it “continues negotiations with industry partners to ensure responsible cost sharing and financial accountability throughout design and construction”.

TVA Interim President and CEO Mike Skaggs said: "This construction permit is more than a regulatory achievement, it's foundational for America's nuclear future."

The company said the Clinch River permit could establish a repeatable licensing pathway for future BWRX-300 projects, potentially improving regulatory predictability, reducing barriers and shortening deployment timelines.

Skaggs added that TVA’s immediate priority was “ensuring the people of the Valley do not shoulder the costs of first of a kind technology that benefits the nation and world. Strategic partnerships enable shared responsibility, shared value, and shared progress as we deploy advanced nuclear infrastructure to meet our nation’s energy security and AI dominance goals".

GE Vernova also welcomed the decision. Eric Gray, CEO of GE Vernova Power Segment, said: "This is a milestone for TVA and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, and an important moment for new nuclear in the United States. TVA has shown strong leadership in advancing new nuclear, a commitment bolstered by the collaborative efforts of the NRC and Department of Energy. Together, and in alignment with federal Executive Orders aimed at accelerating advanced reactors, we are grateful for this collaboration as we work to support the deployment of the first BWRX-300 in the country."

Jason Cooper, CEO of GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, said: "Fleet deployment is essential to scaling nuclear energy in the United States. A standard design, combined with a predictable and efficient regulatory environment, allows us to apply common technology, licensing experience, supply chain capabilities and lessons learned from one project to the next. Clinch River brings us another step closer to making that fleet model a reality."

The NRC began its formal review in July 2025. Its staff completed a safety evaluation in June, concluding that TVA’s application met regulatory requirements, followed by a public hearing in Oak Ridge in August.

TVA submitted its construction permit application in May 2025, becoming the first US utility to seek approval for the BWRX-300.

The 300 MWe reactor uses natural circulation and passive safety systems, building on the design and licensing basis of GEH’s ESBWR technology.

TVA already holds an early site permit confirming Clinch River’s suitability for nuclear development.

Meanwhile, the first BWRX-300 is under construction at Canada’s Darlington New Nuclear Project, while projects are also advancing in the UK, Poland and Texas.