The Energy Department selected the Tennessee Valley Authority and Holtec to split $800 million in funding for the deployment of small modular nuclear reactors in the United States.
The Trump administration has emphasized the role of nuclear power in meeting rising U.S. electricity demand, driven in part by the growth in artificial intelligence and the data centers that power them. The Trump DOE reissued a total $900 million solicitation in March to help accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors.
The solicitation was first opened under the Biden administration but was modified to strip requirements for community benefits plans. As part of the effort, DOE said it would provide up to $800 million for two teams that make the first steps in deploying advanced light-water small modular reactors.
The department said Tuesday the TVA and Holtec project teams were each selected to receive $400 million in federal cost-shared funding for initial projects in Tennessee and Michigan.
