{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/energy/blackburn-applauds-funding-for-tva-to-deploy-small-modular-reactors", "Blackburn Applauds Funding for TVA to Deploy Small Modular Reactors", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "TN", "Marsha Blackburn", "B001243", "www.blackburn.senate.gov", "blackburn", "https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R. Tenn.) joined U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Tennessee Valley Authority President and CEO Don Moul in applauding today\u2019s announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) of the selection of TVA and Holtec Government Services to support early deployments of next-generation Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the United States.\n\n\u201cTennessee is leading the way to deliver reliable, affordable, and secure energy for the American people,\u201d said Senator Blackburn. \u201cThe Tennessee Valley Authority will play a critical part in shaping our country\u2019s nuclear energy future, and I\u2019m thrilled the TVA has been selected for a grant from the Department of Energy to accelerate the deployment of a small modular reactor at the Clinch River site.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs Chairman of Energy and Water Appropriations, and Tennessee\u2019s Appropriator in Congress, I have made it my mission to not only expand new nuclear nationwide but ensure that Tennessee leads our nation in developing and deploying cutting-edge nuclear technologies that will create America\u2019s New Nuclear Future,\u201d said Representative Fleischmann. \u201cThere is no denying the reality that America needs more power. The only way that we will meet our future energy demands is through a robust \u2018all-of-the-above\u2019 energy policy that puts nuclear power at the forefront. TVA and East Tennessee are primed to spearhead the deployment of next-generation SMRs that will fundamentally change America\u2019s energy future. Today\u2019s grant announcement from DOE is further proof that under President Donald Trump\u2019s leadership, we are unleashing American Energy Dominance and ushering in a Golden Age for new nuclear. I also want to congratulate Holtec Government Services, which intends to deploy two SMRs in Michigan, on being chosen for this award. The road to get to today began when Congress passed my historic Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water bill to strengthen our domestic nuclear industry, and I commend TVA, DOE, and the Trump White House for their work in making today\u2019s announcement a reality. We cannot slow down in our progress to create our New Nuclear Future, and I will keep working tirelessly as Energy and Water Chairman to continue to build on this phenomenal work that will be the foundation of America\u2019s energy future.\u201d\n\n\u201cTennessee is quickly becoming the epicenter for nuclear innovation,\u201d said Senator Hagerty. \u201cI appreciate President Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright for their confidence in our region. This grant will help advance the nation\u2019s first Gen III+ SMR which is an important step forward for strengthening America\u2019s energy future. It is clear that Tennessee is positioned to lead the next era of nuclear energy. President Trump\u2019s leadership has helped renew momentum in America\u2019s nuclear sector and support the resurgence of our industrial base. I look forward to seeing Tennessee play a central role in shaping the future of nuclear power for the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cPresident Trump has made clear that America is going to build more energy, not less, and nuclear is central to that mission,\u201d said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. \u201cAdvanced light-water SMRs will give our nation the reliable, round-the-clock power we need to fuel the President\u2019s manufacturing boom, support data centers and AI growth, and reinforce a stronger, more secure electric grid. These awards ensure we can deploy these reactors as soon as possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cTVA is once again answering our nation\u2019s call,\u201d said TVA President and CEO Don Moul.\u201cOur employees are leading the way with advanced nuclear to power not just homes and businesses, but the technologies that will define America\u2019s future. As AI, data centers, and digital infrastructure drive unprecedented energy demand, we\u2019re building our nation\u2019s nuclear energy foundation right here in the Tennessee Valley. This is about more than innovation, it\u2019s about creating lasting opportunity, lowering energy costs, and securing a better tomorrow for American families today.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nTVA intends to deploy a GE Hitachi BWRX-300 at the Clinch River Nuclear Site in Tennessee and accelerate the deployment of additional units in coordination with Indiana Michigan Power in Indiana and Elementl in Alabama. The effort would also strengthen the domestic nuclear supply chain through planned work with Scot Forge, North American Forgemasters, BWX Technologies, and Aecon. Other partners supporting the project include Duke Energy, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and the Electric Power Research Institute.\n\nIn March 2025, DOE issued a $900 million solicitation to de-risk the deployment of Gen III+ SMRs, and the remaining $100 million will be awarded later this year to support additional deployments and address key barriers in design, licensing, supply chain, and site readiness.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/energy/blackburn-applauds-funding-for-tva-to-deploy-small-modular-reactors"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.748704118654132, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}