In today’s construction news, read about the Tennessee Valley Authority has applied for a permission to construct a small modular reactor at Clinch River, run by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. TVA President and CEO Don Moul called this “a significant milestone” for TVA, the region, and the US, accelerating the development of new nuclear technology, its supply chain, and delivery model. TVA is the first utility in the US to apply for a construction permit for BWRX-300 technology. Meanwhile, the Empire Wind project, owned by Equinor ASA (NYSE: EQNR), a Norwegian energy powerhouse, has restarted construction following the lifting of a stop work order issued on April 16, 2025, by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). After considerable discussion with federal, state, and local officials, Equinor may continue development on one of the U.S.’s largest offshore wind projects. Finally, the seasonally adjusted annual rate for the number of starts in privately owned housing in April was 1,361,000. In April, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of privately owned dwelling units permitted by building permits was 1,412,000.
TVA Files the Initial Application for US BWRX-300 Construction
Original Source: TVA submits first US BWRX-300 construction application
The Tennessee Valley Authority applied to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to develop a Clinch River GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy BWRX-300 small modular reactor.
TVA President and CEO Don Moul called this “a significant milestone” for TVA, the region, and the US, accelerating the development of new nuclear technology, its supply chain, and delivery model. TVA is the first utility in the US to apply for a construction permit for BWRX-300 technology. “TVA has put in the work to advance the design and develop the first application for the BWRX-300 technology, creating a path for other utilities who choose to build the same technology,” he said. TVA “looks forward to working with the Administration to accelerate advanced nuclear technologies … we believe deploying new nuclear is essential to providing American families and businesses affordable and abundant electricity for decades to come” .
In a technical collaboration agreement with Ontario Power Generation, Polish business Synthos Green Energy, and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, TVA invested in the BWRX-300 standard design. It chairs a coalition of utility businesses and supply chain partners that has asked for a USD800 million US Department of Energy grant to speed construction of the US’s first small modular reactor and a USD8 million grant to fund the license evaluation.
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are smaller and more modular than the US’s commercial nuclear fleet. In addition to safety improvements, their reduced footprint and modular design allow them to be erected faster, function more easily, and fit better into the landscape, TVA added.
TVA has an early site permit for SMRs at the Clinch River site near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, certifying that the site is safe, environmentally friendly, and emergency-ready for nuclear power station construction. It has submitted an Environmental Report to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and claims SMR site preparation could begin in 2026.
“TVA’s investment in the standard design of the BWRX-300 technology will accelerate its deployment, helping meet the rising demand for energy and enhancing energy security,” Craig Ranson, GVH CEO, stated. “This milestone, in addition to this month’s decision by the Province of Ontario to build the western world’s first SMR, demonstrates that this technology is advanced and real.”
The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety features based on GEH’s ESBWR boiling water reactor design and license. OPG received approval from Ontario this month to begin construction of the first of four BWRX-300 units at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site.
Empire Wind Construction Resumes After U.S. Lifts Stop Work Order
Original Source: Empire Wind Resumes Construction After U.S. Lifts Stop Work Order
Empire Offshore Wind LLC, a subsidiary of Norwegian energy company Equinor ASA (NYSE: EQNR), resumed development on its Empire Wind project after the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) withdrew a stop work order on April 16, 2025. After considerable discussion with federal, state, and city officials, Equinor may resume progress on one of the U.S.’s largest offshore wind projects.
Political Support and Context
After “constructive collaboration” with stakeholders at all levels, including a bipartisan coalition of the Trump administration, Governor Kathy Hochul, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Equinor CEO Anders Opedal lifted the work freeze. Opedal also thanked Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representatives Andrew Garbarino and Dan Goldman for their support. Opedal noted that President Trump managed to “save thousands of American jobs” and maintain energy infrastructure investment.
The project received international support, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Minister of Finance Jens Stoltenberg leading discussions with the U.S. government, highlighting its geopolitical and economic importance.
Project Goals and Schedule
Empire Wind won a New York lease in 2017 after a competitive auction. After years of regulatory scrutiny and permitting, construction commenced in 2024 with project financing. Over 30% of the wind farm is finished, with updated economic assessments in Q2 2025. The corporation plans an offshore installation window later this year and a 2027 commercial operation.
Equinor Wind US President Molly Morris says the project will power 500,000 homes and meet federal and New York State renewable energy goals. Its supply network spans New York, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Texas, and South Carolina, she said.
Important strategically
Empire Equinor’s increasing U.S. renewables portfolio relies on wind. Equinor has spent $60 billion in U.S. energy, mostly in oil and gas but also in low-carbon solutions and offshore wind since entering the market in the early 2000s.
Even despite political upheaval, this latest development revives a vital infrastructure project and strengthens U.S.-Norway energy connections and bipartisan support for domestic renewable energy buildout.
April 2025 Monthly Residential Construction
Original Source: MONTHLY NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION, APRIL 2025
Building Permits
The seasonally adjusted annual rate of privately owned dwelling units authorized by building permits in April was 1,412,000. This is 4.7 percent below the revised March rate of 1,481,000 and 3.2 percent below April 2024’s 1,459,000. April single-family authorizations were 922,000, down 5.1% from March’s revised 972,000. April saw 431,000 unit authorizations in five-unit structures.
Housing Starts
Private home starts in April were 1,361,000 seasonally adjusted annually. This is 1.6 percent (±11.8%)* higher than the revised March estimate of 1,339,000, but 1.7 percent (±9.2%)* lower than the April 2024 rate of 1,385,000. April single-family home starts were 927,000, a 2.1 percent (±12.1 percent) decrease from the revised March number of 947,000. Apartments in five-unit complexes cost 420,000 in April.
Housing Completed
The seasonally adjusted annual rate of private home completions in April was 1,458,000. This is 5.9% (±10.3%)* lower than the revised March estimate of 1,549,000 and 12.3% (±10.5%) lower than the April 2024 rate of 1,662,000. The April single-family home completion rate was 943,000, 8.0 percent (±10.8 percent)* lower than the revised March rate of 1,025,000. April rates for five-unit buildings were 507,000.
Summary of today’s construction news
In summary, the ESBWR boiling water reactor, which was designed and licensed by GEH, serves as the foundation for the BWRX-300 design, a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety features. The Canadian state of Ontario gave OPG permission earlier this month to begin building the first of four BWRX-300 units that will be built at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site.
Meanwhile, One of the main pillars of Equinor’s expanding renewables portfolio in the US is Empire Wind. Equinor has made almost $60 billion in energy investments in the United States since joining the market in the early 2000s, mostly in gas and oil but more recently in offshore wind and low-carbon solutions. In addition to reviving a significant infrastructure project, this most recent development shows that, despite political upheaval, there is bipartisan support for the expansion of domestic renewable energy sources and strengthened U.S.-Norway energy connections.
Finally, in April, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of completions of privately owned dwellings was 1,458,000. This is 12.3 percent (±10.5%) less than the April 2024 rate of 1,662,000 and 5.9 percent (±10.3 percent)* less than the updated March estimate of 1,549,000. The rate of single-family dwelling completions in April was 943,000, which is 8.0 percent (±10.8 percent)* lower than the revised rate of 1,025,000 for March. For structures with five or more units, the April rate was 507,000.
