Image courtesy of TVA.

U.S. DOE recently announced that it has selected the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to support early deployments of advanced light-water small modular reactors (SMRs). TVA will receive $400 million to advance deployment of a GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 at the Clinch River Nuclear Site in Tennessee, as well as accelerate the deployment of additional units with Indiana Michigan Power and Elementl.

TVA is the first utility in the U.S. to have a construction permit application for a BWRX-300 SMR accepted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The Clinch River project will serve as a model for deploying SMRs, laying the groundwork for future SMRs across the U.S.

U.S. DOE recently announced over $5.3 million in funding to universities to support nuclear energy infrastructure. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) was awarded over $250,000 to support research on irradiated materials. The project will establish an in-situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) at UTK for nuclear materials. The high-resolution SEM will be used for three purposes: evaluating small-scale, low-activity radioactive samples; conducting post-irradiation examinations; and performing in-situ thermal, mechanical, and irradiation experiments.

TVA recently released an interconnection heatmap that offers interconnection customers more transparency into the TVA transmission system and viable points of interconnection, providing customers with information to make more informed decisions about generator interconnections. The heatmap represents estimated interconnection capability on the TVA transmission system in certain scenarios and limited conditions. Interconnection customers can access the heatmap on TVA's Open Access Same-Time Information System (OASIS).

U.S. DOE recently announced an organizational realignment, reflecting federal administrative priorities. An updated organizational chart is available here. Additionally, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has been renamed the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) to reflect the broader vision for the lab’s applied energy research and to honor its location in Colorado.

The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) recently announced that the National Energy Screening Project (NESP), which convenes stakeholders to improve cost-effectiveness screening practices for distributed energy resources (DERs), will transition from E4The Future to NASEO in 2026. By bringing NESP under the NASEO umbrella, states will have expanded access to a range of resources and tools to support rigorous, transparent, and comprehensive benefit-cost analysis. The NESP works to ensure consistent valuation of DERs across the energy planning paradigm from program design and resource procurement to distribution system planning. As states work to meet growing energy demand while maintaining affordability, reliability, and sustainability, NESP’s tools will play a vital role in shaping sound investment and policy decisions.

Image courtesy of TVA.

TVA recently announced that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating license for all three units at its Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, allowing continued operation through the mid-2050s. Browns Ferry is TVA’s largest generating asset and the third-largest nuclear power producer in the U.S. The plant’s continued operation is essential to support the growing region.

Additionally, TVA recently allowed YouTube show SmarterEveryDay to record a behind-the-scenes tour of the plant’s refueling process. During the nearly two-hour video, host Destin Sandlin shows plant crews completing the refueling process at Browns Ferry and engages in conversations with nuclear professionals on site. The video is available here.

The U.S. DOE Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation recently announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $134 million to enhance domestic supply chains for rare earth elements (REEs). Through this funding, U.S. DOE will support projects that demonstrate the commercial viability of recovering and refining REEs from unconventional feedstocks, including mine tailings, e-waste, and other waste materials. Additional information is available in the NOFO. Applications are due by January 20, 2026, at 4:00 PM Central.

The U.S. DOE Office of Electricity recently announced that it has reopened the Energy Storage Innovations Prize Round 2. The one-phase competition is a call for new, innovative, and promising energy storage solutions to address niche markets and to grow a community of energy storage innovators. The competition offers a total of $300,000 in prizes.

Round 2 focuses on less conventional use cases (e.g., remote communities, extreme operating conditions) and innovative energy storage technology solutions, across all duration scales, to advance the market landscape. Individuals, academia, non-federal government entities, small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and other inventors in the U.S. working on nascent or emerging energy storage innovations that address less conventional use cases are eligible to apply. Applications are due by March 13, 2026.

Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States) offers Reliability as a Service to enhance grid reliability and resilience through distributed energy resources. Through its program, Seven States will acquire battery storage systems and natural gas generators, providing the capacity to local power companies and their customers for use in demand response, outage mitigation, and local operations. Seven States offers LPCs pricing on backup generators and supports each member in evaluating energy use, system economics, and project feasibility.

TVA EnergyRight recently launched Resilience 360, a program that utilizes vetted, third-party developers to install, operate, and maintain backup generators on-site for businesses. Backup generators support business operations during outages and during grid peak demand. Participants will work out an agreement with the generator installer and operator, as well as TVA, to cover project costs. Whenever a qualified resiliency event occurs, the system automatically activates backup power, allowing the business to continue operations. Learn more about Resilience 360. 

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) launched the Innovation & Research for Industry Success (IRIS) Grant Program, which aims to enhance and facilitate partnerships between private industry and the state’s leading research institutions. The grant program will encourage companies to pilot innovative technologies and pursue discoveries within the state, which, in turn, will facilitate collaborations that highlight the strength of Tennessee’s research capabilities and foster long-term corporate investment in the state’s innovation ecosystem.

Applications for the inaugural round of IRIS funding are open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The U.S. Nuclear Industry Council will host the Advanced Reactor Summit (ARS) February 10-12, 2026, in Seattle, WA. Now in its thirteenth year, ARS convenes stakeholders who move projects from plan to plant. ARS XIII will bring together technology developers, supply-chain leaders, utilities and industrial offtakers, investors, and policymakers to tackle issues such as cost, timelines, policy, and market opportunities. The event will feature execution-focused sessions and practical pathways that align technology, supply chains, customers, capital, and policy - compressing schedules, lowering costs, and accelerating deployment.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced its next Annual Regulatory Information Conference (RIC), to take place March 10-12, 2026, in Bethesda, MD. The event will be held in a hybrid format, offering both in-person participation and virtual access. As the NRC’s largest public conference, the RIC is a dynamic forum for stakeholders across government, industry, international organizations, academia, and the public to engage in meaningful dialogue and share insights on key critical and emerging nuclear regulatory issues. This year’s theme, “Regulation, Innovation and Collaboration for a Safer Tomorrow,” underscores NRC’s commitment to safety, progress, and partnership. Registration will open in January 2026.

The Tennessee Environmental Network Show of the South (TENSOS) will be held in Chattanooga, May 13-15, 2026. The three-day event will host environmental professionals seeking to exchange knowledge and share ideas. The educational program offers over seventy unique courses in nine educational breakout sessions, allowing attendees to design their own personalized curriculum. 

OEP's K-12 Energy Education Program is excited to announce that Energy Camps for Educators will return in Summer 2026. These immersive, hands-on professional development experiences are designed to equip teachers with tools, resources, and inspiration to bring energy education into the classroom. Whether new to energy topics or looking to deepen your expertise, these camps offer engaging content, expert-led sessions, and practical classroom applications.

Camp Locations & Dates:

To apply for Energy Camp, complete the K-12 Energy Education Camp Application available here and email the finished application to Angela.McGee@tn.gov and Alisha.Brewer@tn.gov. Applications are due April 3, 2026.

The East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) will host a Nuclear Opportunities Workshop at the Knoxville Convention Center from August 4-5, 2026. The annual conference features experts in nuclear fission and fusion energy, national security, radioisotopes, environmental management, policy, regulation, reactors, and workforce development. Join the email list here for event updates.

The U.S. DOE Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office designed a critical materials career map to highlight the variety of roles, essential skills, and potential career pathways required to support and expand a robust domestic critical materials industry. The career map is intended to assist educators, career advisors, job seekers, employers, policymakers, and workforce development professionals seeking a comprehensive framework that can serve as a guide for:

The career map is a tool to raise awareness and interest for the types of skills, roles, and experiences expected when working in the critical minerals and materials sector.

As the temperature drops, the potential for winter weather hazards increases. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) provides safety steps to take to stay safe this winter. During winter weather, the main concerns at home or in the workplace include the potential loss of heat, power, and communications, as well as limited access to essential supplies if hazardous conditions persist. Make sure you have adequate emergency supplies on hand that meet the needs of your family, coworkers, and others in your daily community.

Colder weather means a higher usage of indoor heating, but there are still ways to conserve energy in the winter to save on energy costs. Changing your HVAC filter and lowering your thermostat are two simple steps you can take. Other steps, like installing a programmable thermostat, can make a big impact on reducing your energy use. For more ideas or to learn how you might get assistance with weatherization (making your house energy-efficient by sealing air leaks, adding insulation, and sealing gaps around windows/doors to block drafts), check out the Tennessee Department of Health’s Healthy Homes – Weatherization page. 

Before hitting the road, ensure your vehicle is in good working condition and prepared for winter travel. For winter weather tips, travel information, and a regional breakdown of Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) winter weather supplies and equipment, visit the TDOT website.

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council recently released the National Solar Jobs Census 2024. According to the report, the U.S. solar industry employed 280,119 workers nationwide as of 2024, roughly level with solar employment in 2023. Altogether, the solar and storage industries employed 464,053 U.S. workers in 2024. According to the Solar Jobs by State data, Tennessee’s solar workforce saw 1.3% growth and now has over 5,200 jobs.

Visit the TDEC Office of Energy Programs Website at http://www.tn.gov/environment/energy.

Past Monthly Newsletters: 

November 2025

October 2025

September 2025

For more information or to submit an idea for a future Monthly Transportation Edition, contact:

Audrey Jackson, Communications Officer
TDEC Office of Energy Programs
615-917-6683 or audrey.jackson@tn.gov

OR

Alexa Voytek, Deputy Director, OEP Programs
U.S. DOE State Energy Program / Innovation & Transportation / Communications
TDEC Office of Energy Programs
 615-613-1096 or alexa.voytek@tn.gov

OR

Mark Finlay, Senior Energy Analyst, TDEC Office of Energy Programs
615-772-6011 or mark.finlay@tn.gov

Acknowledgement: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) under the State Energy Program Award Number DE-SE0001084.

Disclaimer: This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government.  Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.  Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.  The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.