Skip to content

Join ETEC  |  Member Login  |  NOW Conference

Link to LinkedIn Link to X, formerly known as Twitter Link to Facebook Link to Instagram

Nuclear Industry Hub

The Nuclear Industry is Thriving in Tennessee!

“Nuclear is Here: Powering Tennessee’s Future” recognizes the innovation network that’s welcoming new energy and technology businesses and employees to the Oak Ridge Corridor. The high-tech innovation hub positions Tennessee to lead in enabling nuclear energy, Artificial Intelligence, and quantum computing. The graphic was created in partnership with ETEC by ORNL and is a follow up to the Nuclear Is Here Workforce Map. (Click on the image to see a larger version.)

Nuclear Is Here...

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary, Chris Wright:

“Our goal is to unleash American energy, and one of the key pillars of that is next-generation nuclear. We want to get nuclear launched again, and I see that energy, that activity, that land, that willingness to do it right here. I think the nuclear renaissance could begin right here.” Said during Oak Ridge visit on March 14, 2025.

Tennessee Governor, Bill Lee:

"I've know for a long time, as many of you have, that Tennessee is the leader, and certainly has had a historical place in leading, in nuclear energy for our country - in all things nuclear for our country. From the Manhattan Project to today, this region has been pivotal for the nuclear industry in America and in the world." 

U.S. Congressman, Chuck Fleischmann:

“As the leading nuclear energy champion in Congress, I will continue to advocate for expanding nuclear energy nationwide to meet America’s energy needs and the world’s growing demand for power. Nuclear power is affordable, abundant, clean, and reliable and the best way to power our nation and the world through the rest of the 21st Century and into the 22nd.

Oak Ridge City Council member, Sean Gleason

"East Tennessee is becoming, once again, after 80-plus years, the place the nation is looking for to lead the next nuclear race. Let Oak Ridge win another race. We've done it before."

ETEC President & CEO, Tracy Boatner:

"Governor Lee’s energy priorities and the state’s investment in TVA’s Clinch River small modular reactor project supports economic growth and brings Tennessee one step closer to ensuring America’s energy security. East Tennessee stands ready to prove that once again, the nation’s toughest challenges can be solved in the Oak Ridge Corridor."

University of Tennessee President, Randy Boyd:

“UT Knoxville is the steward of one of the top five nuclear engineering programs in the country producing top-level talent and innovation."

Kairos Power Co-Founder & CEO, Mike Laufer:

“The community in Oak Ridge has been incredibly welcoming. Our expectations were high, but everything has been met and exceeded in terms of the engagement and not just the acceptance but a lot of the excitement that we have seen from the local community.”

NNSA Acting Administrator, Teresa Robbins:

“Thank you for being an amazing community and welcoming the Secretary of Energy. Thank you for welcoming me back, and thank you for your continuous pursuit to bring about the nuclear renaissance. It will happen because of what’s going on in East Tennessee.”

Joe Stainback, IV, Nuclear Technology Program Director, Roane State Community College:

"We have a unique workforce thus requiring unique education and training requirements driven by industry, government and local regulations."

Braden Stover, Chief Policy Officer, State of TN Dept of Economic and Community Development, at a Friday ETEC meeting:

“When I talk about nuclear, it’s not really about what we’re doing at the state level — the first thing that comes up is Oak Ridge. You are a magnet for nuclear, and companies know it. You’ve built an ecosystem that’s leading the country. I was on a panel last week in Atlanta with nuclear leaders from across the nation. There was an entire session dedicated to Tennessee. I shared how the Oak Ridge community is all rowing in the same direction — that’s your secret sauce. It sends a powerful message to companies that they can locate in Oak Ridge and won’t face the challenges they’d find elsewhere. The collaboration among the community, the state, all of the partners, and federal delegation creates a kind of magic that’s really working.”

Tennessee is Leading America's NEW NUCLEAR Energy Innovation in the Oak Ridge Corridor.

Why Tennessee?

Download the Nuclear Industry Impact fact sheet & the Nuclear Workforce fact sheets for quick info.

Here are a few reasons why the nuclear industry is coming to East Tennessee.

  • FEDERAL SUPPORT: A nuclear advocate in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, Chair of the House Energy and Water Development Subcommittee and co-chair of the House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus.  Both Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator Bill Hagerty are strong proponents for advancing new nuclear as well.
  • STATE SUPPORT: A pro-nuclear Governor and State Legislature that has allocated a total of $152.6 million to recruit innovative nuclear companies, expand the growth of existing nuclear companies, grow the workforce, and research and development (R&D) for both fusion and fission technologies.
  • ALIGNED COMMUNITY: Anderson and Roane counties and the City of Oak Ridge have aligned to create the Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation (ORCDC). This entity will be a resource to attract and locate nuclear companies to East Tennessee.
  • TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT: Access to R&D capabilities and collaboration with some of the world’s experts relative to advanced nuclear technologies at the Tennessee Valley Authority, Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Oak Ridge Associated Universities offering collaborative environments for advanced nuclear technologies.
  • SMR PIONEERING: TVA’s Clinch River Site where they are making plans to site multiple small modular reactors by early 2030s as a sign of forward-thinking leadership to meet the state’s future energy demand with clean, safe, reliable, nuclear power.
  • FUEL FABRICATION: In East Tennessee Centrus Energy designs, tests, and manufactures the world’s most advanced uranium enrichment centrifuge machines. Centrus also supports other companies in the advanced reactor fuel cycle by leveraging its decades of expertise in uranium chemistry, nuclear facility licensing, and criticality analysis.
  • URANIUM ENRICHMENT: Orano USA has committed to building a uranium enrichment plant in Oak Ridge. It will be one of the largest in North America.
  • INNOVATION HUB: A hub of advanced nuclear innovators making their home in Oak Ridge: Kairos Power, TRISO-X, Standard Nuclear, Lis Technologies, Nano Nuclear, Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation, along with fusion energy innovator Type One Energy.
  • KNOWLEDGEABLE POPULACE: A pro-nuclear community with a pool of talented individuals who have expertise in nuclear operations.
  • EDUCATIONAL SYNERGY: A strong system of education and workforce partnerships with the University of Tennessee and Tennessee Technological University in addition to nuclear training programs provided by Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technologies and Community Colleges including Roane State, Pellissippi State, and Chattanooga State. Labor partnerships provide additional apprenticeship opportunities.
  • COLLABORATION: Oak Ridge Associated University's (ORAU) new STEM Accelerator program Partnerships for Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Energy Academic Alliance is focusing on the Nuclear Science and Technology workforce in order to meet urgent needs within this industry along with building the proposed Tennessee Nuclear Energy Workforce Center.
  • REINDUSTRIALIZATION SUCCESS: A diligent and focused DOE Environmental Management program whose contractor, UCOR is completing legacy cleanup at the Y-12 National Security Complex and ORNL to make way for new missions. This team also cleaned up the East Tennessee Technology Park, (former K-25 Manhattan Era site). Many nuclear companies have located in this brownfield site, now called Heritage Center, and in the adjoining Horizon Center Industrial Park.

Regional Capablities

Oak Ridge and the East Tennessee region offer opportunities for collaboration with both the public sector and private companies in a variety of areas.

Below is a list of many of those areas and some of the companies/entities who are working towards solutions in our region.

Opportunitites to Engage

Locate:

Oak Ridge

The ORCDC works cooperatively with Anderson County, Roane County, and the City of Oak Ridge. This alignment of communities will drive economic development by utilizing the corridor's exceptional technology to advance opportunities in the nuclear power sector and its related supply chain. Click to view a news story about the ORCDC.

Contact: Mike Magill

Oak Ridge Information

https://www.oakridgeedi.org/

Regional

https://www.eteda.org/

Valley Information

https://www.tva.com/economic-development

ORCDC's President Mike Magill talks about Oak Ridge being Nuclear Ready and the Creation of the Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation.

A good introduction to DOE's Oak Ridge Reservation. And, how the environmental management program is making way for new missions in Oak Ridge.

Participate:

TN Nuclear Network

ETEC's Nuclear Working Group becomes the Tennessee Nuclear Network (TN2)

Since its establishment in 2007, ETEC’s statewide Nuclear Working Group has played a pivotal role in advancing the growth and innovation of nuclear energy within the state.

Starting with just a few nuclear companies in the Oak Ridge/Knoxville area, the working group is now comprised of 90 people statewide representing 50 nuclear-focused private companies, academic institutions, municipalities, State of Tennessee officials, DOE contractors, and national trade organizations, this group has created a robust ecosystem for the development of nuclear technologies.

In July 2025, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee designated the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC)’s Nuclear Working Group as the Tennessee Nuclear Network (TN-squared), the state’s official partnership aimed at advancing nuclear innovation, workforce development, and economic growth across the state. Tennessee’s Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Gibson, announced this designation at ETEC’s annual Nuclear Opportunities Workshop (NOW).

Two years ago, Governor Lee signed Executive Order 101 to create the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council (TNEAC), which worked for more than a year to position Tennessee as a national leader for nuclear energy innovation and advancement. The newly designated Tennessee Nuclear Network will incorporate the Council’s recommendations and continue the mission of establishing a robust nuclear energy ecosystem in Tennessee.

Key Objectives of the Tennessee Nuclear Network:

  • Promote Innovation: Support cutting-edge research and development in nuclear technologies across the industry.
  • Educate Workforce: Partner with workforce entities across the state who are creating and expanding training programs to prepare future generations of nuclear scientists, engineers, technicians, and tradespeople.
  • Economic Growth: Coordinate with state, regional, and local economic development organizations to attract investment and create job opportunities in Tennessee’s thriving nuclear industry.
  • Collaboration: Facilitate partnerships between industry, government, and academic stakeholders.
  • Advocacy and Regulatory Support: Advocate for policies that support the nuclear industry while addressing regulatory challenges.
  • Public Engagement & Communication

The importance of this working group lies in its ability to address critical challenges and opportunities in the nuclear sector. It acts as a platform for knowledge-sharing, policy advocacy, and strategic planning, ensuring that Tennessee remains at the forefront of nuclear advancements.

The group meets monthly virtually and in-person in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. They are an integral part of planning nuclear-related events including the annual Nuclear Opportunities Workshop which brings 1,000 plus attendees from 34 states to the region annually to learn about Tennessee’s unique nuclear assets and growth opportunities.

If you are a part of the nuclear industry in Tennessee and want to be a part of this group, email: info@eteconline.org.

Click here to read the history of the Working Group from Dr. Eric Abelquist’s perspective. These are the remarks he gave at an ETEC Friday Morning meeting on Friday, December 10, 2021.

Learn More:

Nuclear Conference

ETEC’s 7th annual NOW Conference hosted 1,000 attendees, made up of experts in nuclear fission and fusion energy, national security, radioisotopes, environmental management, policy, regulation, reactors, and workforce development; 70 exhibitors; and 150 students. The total included representatives from 300 companies across 34 states, as well as numerous industry leaders, federal and state officials, and national trade organizations interested in collaborating with nuclear companies in these fields. The 2 full-day conference and Atomic After Party was held downtown Knoxville in the Oak Ridge Corridor at the Knoxville Convention Center on Tuesday & Wednesday, July 22-23, 2025.

ETEC NOW 2025 -13
ETEC NOW 2025 -115
ETEC NOW 2025 -113
ETEC NOW 2025-723
Scroll To Top