Small, modular nuclear reactors will allow Tennessee to lead the nation in electric power production.
He will expand small, modular nuclear reactors in Tennessee to increase power generation.
Occurrences
Evidence
DOE announced $94 million in cost-shared funding for eight companies to speed SMR deployment. The same release says DOE had already announced $800 million in Tier 1 awards in December 2025 to TVA and Holtec to advance initial projects in Tennessee and Michigan, supporting site preparation and follow-on projects.
The NRC project page says TVA's construction-permit application for a small modular reactor at the Clinch River site remains in review, with the project active from April 2025 to present. It lists the specific BWRX-300 application as ongoing and includes 2026 environmental-review milestones.
Assessments
Federal action during Rose's current term has materially advanced small modular reactor deployment tied to Tennessee, including DOE cost-shared funding and prior Tier 1 awards involving TVA for Tennessee-related SMR work. However, the central Tennessee project remains in NRC review and has not yet expanded power generation through an operating SMR. Because the promise was to expand SMRs in Tennessee to increase generation, the available evidence supports meaningful progress but not full delivery.