Nuclear energy is the leading power source in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Did you know that nuclear energy is Tennessee’s biggest energy source?

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) provides electricity for 153 local power companies which serve over 10 million in Tennessee.

In the TVA’s 10-K report, released back in November of 2023, it was revealed that 42% of their total power generated was from nuclear energy.

TVA runs its nuclear power plants as baseload. This is the one energy source TVA does not purchase.

TVA’s carbon-free power supply mix was 55% percent of the overall power supply for the year ended Sept. 30, 2023 according to the report.

Just last May, Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order creating the Tennessee Nuclear Advisory Council, which will seek to build on nuclear innovation and investment to create a nuclear energy ecosystem for the future of Tennessee.

The order states the council would recommend the following actions to advance Tennessee’s ability to lead the nation in nuclear energy:

• Legislative, policy and budgetary changes to address regulatory, workforce or education barriers that exist to the creation and expansion of nuclear energy facilities in Tennessee
• Funding opportunities for state government, local governments and the private sector
• Storage and waste practices that continue the state’s long history of conserving Tennessee’s natural resources
• Federal actions that Tennessee should pursue with federal partners and agencies

According to TVA, they’re the first utility in the nation to successfully obtain approval for an early site permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to potentially construct and operate Small Modular Reactors (“SMRs”) at TVA’s Clinch River Nuclear Site.

Small Modular Reactors can be thought of as mini nuclear plants. They’re not nearly as big as traditional nuclear power plants and has parts manufactured in a factory.

In March of 2023, TVA announced it would be investing in the development of GE Hitachi’s Small Modular Reactor Technology. Tennessee already has two nuclear power plants, but the new one would be smaller, more reliable, and cheaper.

Some folks are in opposition of expanding nuclear energy in Tennessee. The Tennessee Environmental Council is one of those in opposition.

TEC’s advocacy for abandoning nuclear power in Tennessee exist because of the threat nuclear energy poses to the environment.

Here are TEC’s main priorities:

-Advocate against license renewals for active nuclear power plants

-Push TVA to stop working on small modular reactor program

-Advocate for TVA to transition truly clean and safe renewable energy

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