NRC outlines review process for TVA's Clinch River small nuclear reactor application
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (WATE) — As the Tennessee Valley Authority seeks approval to build a next-generation power plant at the Clinch River site, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is walking residents through the application process.
The NRC held two public meetings in Oak Ridge on May 6 to discuss the agency's process for licensing nuclear power plants, as the Tennessee Valley Authority is expected to submit a construction permit application for the country's first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) at the Clinch River Nuclear Site.
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'Our goal here is to make sure that they are going to remain safe if this project is approved for construction and later down the road, a request for operation, our bottom line always is making sure that the public remains safe when something like a nuclear power plant is built and operated,' said NRC spokesperson Scott Burnell.
Since 2023, the TVA has been working with GE Hitachi, Ontario Power Generation and Synthos Green Energy to develop the standard design for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor. In January, the TVA and its partners announced that they were entering the planning phase for the initial construction and design of the SMR for the TVA's Clinch River Nuclear Site. The Environmental Review for the Clinch River project was completed and TVA sent a notification of intent to submit a Construction Permit Application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
'Where we're at right now is that TVA has given us half of their application, the environmental part of the information they need to provide to us. We're still waiting for the safety portion of their application. We expect that in a few weeks. And once we have that, we can then really get into our review process, determine whether or not we have enough information to do a full technical examination of TVA's request, and if we get to that point, then there's going to be more public engagement here in Oak Ridge,' said Burnell.
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He went on to explain that if the NRC decides to accept the full application for review, they will notify the community that they have an opportunity to legally challenge the application. As things continue to move forward, the NRC's environmental review will include additional opportunities for the public to give their input on the issues that they feel need to be addressed.
If the application is approved, Burnell said they hope to finish their technical work within two and a half years.
'We're going to work very hard to beat that goal and then come to a final decision on whether or not to issue the permit. If the answer is yes, then TVA would have permission to start building the reactor out of the Clinch River site. And shortly thereafter, a few months later, we expect they would submit another application, this time for a license to operate the nuclear power plant,' said Burnell.
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To learn more about the project, visit the NRC's website.
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