For The First Time In The Country, A Utility Is Seeking Federal Approval To Build A Small Modular Nuclear Reactor. The Tennessee Valley Authority Filed A Construction Permit Request Tuesday With The Nuclear Regulatory Commission For A New Reactor At Its Clinch River Site In Oak Ridge. TVA Says The Project Could Provide 300 Megawatts Of Power By 2032—Enough To Power About 175,000 Homes. The Publicly Owned Utility Already Operates Three Traditional Nuclear Plants And Plans To Use Smaller Reactors To Meet Growing Demand While Reducing Carbon Emissions.