Seven NNN nuclear stories published from September 26 through October 3 tracked an industry moving through regulatory gates, construction milestones and large-scale proposals. The week's lead was the NRC's construction permit for TVA's Clinch River BWRX-300—the first US permit for the design—while other reports examined a bilateral reactor framework, China's expanding build program and a new Palisades application filing.
Key facts
- The NRC issued TVA a construction permit for one 300-MW BWRX-300 unit at Clinch River; an operating license is still required before fuel loading or operation.
- The US and South Korea outlined a $120 billion framework for six AP1000s and two APR1400s, but have not named sites or schedules.
- Holtec filed a preliminary safety analysis report for two proposed 340-MWe SMR-300 units at Palisades; the filing is not a construction approval.
- Bailong 2 in China entered construction with first nuclear-island concrete for a planned 1,250-MW CAP1000 reactor.
- The week also included a new IAEA–Inter-American Development Bank partnership and a trilateral US-Japan-South Korea plan supporting overseas SMR deployment.
1. NRC clears TVA's Clinch River BWRX-300 for construction
The NRC approved TVA's construction permit for a 300-MW BWRX-300 at Clinch River, completing its review in 14 months. The permit authorizes construction under regulatory conditions, not fuel loading or commercial operation; a separate operating license remains necessary. It is the first US construction permit for this design and gives the project a significant licensing milestone to test against real delivery performance. Read NNN's report on the Clinch River permit.
2. US and South Korea outline an eight-reactor framework
Project Power sets out a proposed mix of six AP1000 reactors and two APR1400s, associated with a $120 billion allocation. The governments have not yet supplied site choices, schedules or finalized commercial terms, so the framework is a consequential signal of intent rather than eight construction-ready projects. The proposed advance payment and future project-level agreements will show whether the announcement becomes an executable build program. Read NNN's coverage of Project Power.
3. Holtec files Palisades SMR safety report
Holtec says it submitted a Preliminary Safety Analysis Report for two proposed SMR-300 units at the Palisades Energy Center, completing the second phase of its application package. The filing gives the NRC additional technical material to review, but the regulator has not approved construction. Palisades now has two distinct nuclear tracks to follow: the existing reactor's restart and the proposed new SMRs. Read NNN's report on Holtec's filing.
4. Bailong 2 begins construction in China
China poured first nuclear-island concrete for Bailong 2 in Guangxi, marking the start of construction for a 1,250-MW CAP1000 unit. The planned first pour totals 6,637 cubic metres. The milestone adds another project to China's fast-moving reactor buildout and creates a new execution test around schedule, construction and supply-chain delivery. Read NNN's Bailong 2 construction report.
5. IAEA and IDB sign a Latin American nuclear partnership
The International Atomic Energy Agency and Inter-American Development Bank agreed to cooperate on nuclear energy development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region generated 1.8% of its electricity from nuclear in 2025, and the partnership connects technical cooperation with a development-finance institution. Its significance will depend on whether dialogue and assistance lead to concrete country programs or project preparation. Read NNN's coverage of the IAEA-IDB agreement.
6. US, Japan and South Korea set an SMR deployment plan
The three governments announced an implementation plan to support small modular reactor deployment in third countries. The announcement named no individual projects, delivery dates or financing commitments, making it a framework for cooperation rather than a deployment award. The next meaningful evidence will be a specific project, procurement path or government-backed implementation step. Read NNN's report on the trilateral SMR plan.
7. Palisades fuel loading remains paused after assembly incident
Holtec paused fuel loading at the existing Palisades reactor after a used fuel assembly tilted inside the vessel. The company must develop retrieval equipment and complete the remaining loading work, while applicable steps require NRC oversight. This is separate from the proposed SMR project at the same site and remains a direct schedule issue for the plant's restart. Read NNN's coverage of the Palisades fuel-loading pause.
What to watch next week
The evidence to watch is project-specific: TVA's early construction activity and eventual operating-license path; named sites, contracts and legal approvals under Project Power; and NRC review progress for Holtec's Palisades applications. For announced cooperation and financing frameworks, the distinction between stated ambition and documented implementation remains central.
Questions
- What was the biggest nuclear story this week?
- The NRC issued TVA a construction permit for a BWRX-300 at Clinch River, the first US construction permit for that small modular reactor design. TVA may build the unit but still needs a separate operating license before fuel loading or operation.
- How many stories are included in this weekly roundup?
- It includes seven NNN reports published from September 26 through October 3, 2026, selected for their regulatory, construction, policy and market significance.
- Are the eight reactors in the US-South Korea framework approved projects?
- No. Project Power outlines six AP1000s and two APR1400s but does not yet identify project sites, schedules or finalized commercial terms.
Sources
- NRC Approves Construction of Nation’s First Small Modular Reactor — U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Korea and the United States Announce Historic Strategic Investment Projects — U.S. Department of Commerce
- Pioneer Units 1 and 2 Limited Work Authorization Application — U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
About Nuclear News Network
Nuclear News Network (NNN) is an independent publication covering the global nuclear energy sector — reactor construction, SMRs, fuel supply, policy, operations and fusion. NNN publishes a daily brief, same-day analysis of major developments, and reference guides used across the industry. Articles are produced by the NNN Newsroom, an editorial automation system with human oversight, under the publication's editorial standards. Ruben Seoane is the founder and main editor of NNN.