Tennessee Secures U.S. Department of Energy Grant to Develop Nation’s First Small Modular Reactor at Clinch River Site
Grant further positions TN as a national leader in next-generation nuclear energyNASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) application was selected for a $400 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to advance the development of a small modular reactor (SMR) at the Clinch River Site.
“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone for America’s energy dominance and underscores Tennessee’s position as a leader in clean, reliable nuclear energy to power the future,” said Gov. Lee. “I’m grateful for the Trump Administration’s historic investment to strengthen our power grid with the nation’s first small modular reactor, and thank the Tennessee Valley Authority for their continued partnership and commitment to innovation.”
Tennessee’s Clinch River Site is one of the only federally-approved, undeveloped nuclear sites in the country.
In 2025, Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly included up to $50 million in the state budget to assist in accelerating construction of small modular reactors and support TVA’s application for the DOE grant at the Clinch River Site.
In 2023, Governor Lee created the Nuclear Energy Fund and invested a total of $70 million to attract advanced nuclear technology companies and create a leading nuclear ecosystem in East Tennessee. Since the Fund’s creation, Tennessee has recruited top nuclear energy companies, including Orano, Type One, BWXT Enrichment, Oklo, Radiant Industries and more, bringing $7.3 billion total investment and nearly 2,000 new jobs to the Volunteer State.
The Lee administration established the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council through Executive Order 101 to help guide the state’s strategy using the knowledge, expertise and experience of some of Tennessee’s brightest minds.