Anderson County officials visit proposed site of TVA Clinch River small reactor
Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank recently coordinated with the Tennessee Valley Authority to accompany a contingent of local economic development officials, county commissioners, and the county’s Emergency Management Agency director on a visit to the small modular reactor site at the former location of the Clinch River Breeder Reactor Project in Roane County.
Members of the Anderson County Economic Development Association’s board of directors and seven members of the Anderson County Commission, along with Mayor Frank and EMA Director Brice Kidwell, toured the Clinch River nuclear site.
The site could house the first next-generation small nuclear reactor on the TVA power grid. A small nuclear reactor is one generating 300 megawatts or less of electricity, according to information from TVA.
TVA is working with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Ontario Power Generation in Canada, and Synthos Green Energy in Poland, to finance and design a small modular reactor.
Officials were briefed at the entrance of the site on possible road and bridge enhancements and other infrastructure improvements.
They also viewed the proposed location for the reactors.
Their visit concluded with a presentation by TVA’s Bob Deacy, senior vice president, and Caitlin Moffitt, strategic consultant for the Clinch River Nuclear Project.
“We are very appreciative of the team at TVA for the tour, and most especially the briefing,” Frank said. “I personally was very interested in the briefing where we learned more about some of the advantages TVA holds in the advancement to clean, safe nuclear energy, namely TVA’s success in obtaining an early site permit for one or more small modular reactors, and the proximity to DOE’s Oak Ridge reservation and our skilled local workforce.
“We also learned about the technology collaboration agreement signed by TVA, Ontario Power Generation, and Synthos Green Energy to collaborate in shaping a standard design for [the reactor]. Ontario Power Generation is participating in the design for deployment in Canada; TVA is participating for deployment in the [Tennessee] Valley; and Synthos is participating for deployment in Poland.
“This is an exciting time in nuclear energy advancement,” Frank said. “It is especially exciting that our state and region are a part of technology advancements to make sure we meet the energy needs of tomorrow.”