State Representative Ed Butler has formally requested that Governor Bill Lee oppose any initiatives aimed at establishing nuclear waste storage facilities in Tennessee, specifically raising alarms over potential locations within House District 41 and the Cumberland Plateau.

In an August 10 letter, Butler noted that numerous constituents have reached out with deep concerns regarding reports that several local counties are being evaluated as prospective storage sites. He specifically pointed to the proposed Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, highlighting the severe environmental risks it could pose to the region.

• Key Quote: “We are a state of innovation and advanced technology, not a dump site,” Butler wrote. “With the innovation and beauty of Tennessee, there are no economic benefits that will outweigh the potential environmental risks associated with the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus.”

Butler reiterated his opposition on social media, emphasizing that nuclear waste storage is neither wanted nor needed in the state, and called on Governor Lee to take protective action on behalf of Tennessee residents. While the exact counties under consideration have not yet been publicly identified, House District 41 remains a central focus of the lawmaker’s concerns.