Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced today that the state has submitted a comprehensive proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to establish Oak Ridge as the premier site for a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus. The initiative aims to strengthen America’s energy dominance by creating a full-cycle nuclear energy ecosystem that advances safe, durable, and cost-effective solutions across the nuclear value chain.

In his statement, Governor Lee emphasized Tennessee’s historic and ongoing leadership in nuclear innovation, noting the state’s pivotal role in the Manhattan Project and its readiness to once again lead in developing reliable energy solutions. He expressed gratitude for the DOE’s consideration and anticipation of continued partnership with the Trump Administration to enhance national security and deliver long-term economic benefits for Tennesseans.

The proposal highlights why Tennessee is uniquely positioned to host the campus, citing its status as the most comprehensive nuclear ecosystem in the U.S., which spans nearly the entire nuclear lifecycle—including fuel fabrication, enrichment, reprocessing, advanced separations, and recycling of used nuclear fuel. This infrastructure supports rapid, large-scale deployment. Oak Ridge serves as the nation’s nuclear epicenter, anchored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Y-12 National Security Complex, and continues to drive advancements in AI, quantum computing, isotope production, and next-generation nuclear technologies.

Key strengths outlined in the proposal include Tennessee’s leadership in next-generation nuclear deployment, highlighted by the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) selection for a $400 million DOE award to build the nation’s first small modular reactor at the Clinch River Site. The state has also attracted significant private-sector investment, such as up to $40 billion from GE Vernova Hitachi for small modular reactor manufacturing. Additionally, the Oak Ridge–Knoxville corridor hosts more than 230 nuclear lifecycle companies, supported by robust workforce training programs and supply chain investments that generate high-quality jobs.

Tennessee further benefits from a proven regulatory environment as an NRC Agreement State with over 60 years of experience, along with the nation’s first fusion-energy regulatory framework and participation in the FAST-41 permitting program. The proposal also notes strong legislative backing through Senate Joint Resolution 887, which recognizes the economic, strategic, and national security advantages of hosting the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus.