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Press Mention Chattanooga Times Free Press June 18, 2021

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TVA looks for federal support, partners in building the next generation of nuclear power

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The Tennessee Valley Authority is pursuing small modular reactor technology at Oak Ridge as part of its strategy to decarbonize its power generation portfolio and replace aging coal-fired plants. TVA has obtained an early site permit for the Clinch River project and is studying the feasibility of building multiple small reactors across its seven-state region. The article discusses TVA's efforts to secure federal support and industry partnerships for this next-generation nuclear initiative.

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TVA looks for federal support, partners in building the next generation of nuclear power

New small modular reactors could make Oak Ridge carbon free

June 19, 2021

by

Dave Flessner

| Updated June 19, 2021 at 5:47 p.m.

The Tennessee Valley Authority could become one of the first utilities to pioneer a new smaller nuclear reactor design that developers hope will be simpler, cheaper and safer than existing nuclear power plants and could be critical in helping the nation's biggest government utility to become carbon free with its power generation.

TVA is the first U.S. utility to obtain an early site permit for a small modular reactor proposed to be built on the Clinch River in Oak Ridge. TVA is studying the feasibility of building several small reactors on the Oak Ridge site - and ultimately others on other abandoned power plant locations in TVA's seven-state region - to help replace power generation from TVA's aging fleet of coal-fired power plants.