On November 21, 2024, the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council released its final report on advancing nuclear energy innovation in the state. The report outlines 19 recommendations around addressing first-of-a-kind costs for small modular reactors (SMRs), growing a strong supply chain, and coordinating and enhancing workforce development, regulatory responsiveness, and coalition building. A primary conclusion centered around the Clinch River SMR under development, the potential long-term benefits, and the need for the State to actively coordinate with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) throughout the process.
The recommendations include establishing a Joint Office of Nuclear Advancement to serve as a centralized hub and unified point of contact for the nuclear industry and stakeholders to engage the State for incentives and processes related to nuclear energy, supply chain, and medical isotopes; continuing to grow the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Supply Chain Investment Fund, which has already issued multiple awards related to workforce development, fusion R&D, uranium enrichment, and more; establishing a Nuclear Energy Workforce Center and draft a roadmap that aligns the State’s regulatory, emergency preparedness, and workforce strategies. The full report can be found here and more information on the Advisory Council here.