Our Advantage
Tennessee is a nuclear-friendly state that has been a leader in energy and innovation since the dawn of the Atomic Age. Its Manhattan Project facilities became Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex. The Tennessee Valley Authority’s
three nuclear plants produce 42 percent of the power in its seven-state service area. And the University of Tennessee’s
nuclear engineering department—the nation’s first—boasts a consistent Top 5 ranking nationwide.
There is no better place to rapidly deploy nuclear energy and develop new nuclear technologies.
1. Strong Government Alignment
Tennessee offers one of the nation’s most stable and supportive policy environments for nuclear energy.
- Bipartisan federal champions advancing nuclear policy and investment.
- A pro-nuclear Governor and Legislature investing $152.6M into company recruitment, workforce development, and advanced R&D.
- Streamlined state permitting through TDEC—recognized nationwide as a friendly, predictable regulatory partner.
2. Unmatched Federal Assets & Expertise
The state hosts one of the world’s strongest concentrations of nuclear knowledge, infrastructure, and national missions.
- Home to ORNL, Y-12, TVA, UT, UCOR, and ORAU—a combination unmatched anywhere else in the U.S.
- Access to world-class scientific and engineering capabilities for advanced reactors, next-gen fuels, materials science, cleanup/decommissioning, national security technologies, and workforce expertise.
- Collaborative environments that support testing, demonstration, and rapid innovation.
3. Pioneering Sites for Advanced Reactors
Tennessee is positioned to lead the next era of nuclear deployment.
- TVA’s Clinch River Site is preparing to host multiple BWRX-300 small modular reactors.
- Kairos Power is building its Hermes low-power demonstration reactor and ETU-3.0 test facility in Oak Ridge.
- Radiant is establishing a microreactor manufacturing facility in Oak Ridge to produce its transportable Kaleidos microreactors.
- Federal and state agencies are aligned to support siting and licensing.
- DOE land and infrastructure available for nuclear development through longstanding federal, state, and local partnerships.
4. Advanced Fuel & Enrichment Leadership
Tennessee is rebuilding America’s advanced nuclear fuel cycle, hosting capabilities that span enrichment, fuel fabrication, next-generation materials, and fuel innovation.
- Centrus Energy – manufactures advanced enrichment centrifuges and provides fuel cycle expertise.
- Orano USA – building one of North America’s largest uranium enrichment facilities in Oak Ridge.
- TRISO-X – developing next-generation TRISO fuel for advanced reactors.
- BWXT – fabricates specialized fuels and components for advanced reactors and defense applications.
- Lis Technologies – advancing materials and energy technologies supporting nuclear operations.
- Oklo – developing HALEU fuel recycling and conversion for advanced reactors.
Together, these capabilities position Tennessee as one of the only states with a full, end-to-end presence across the emerging U.S. nuclear fuel cycle.
5. A Growing Cluster of Nuclear Innovators
East Tennessee has become one of the most active hubs for advanced nuclear companies.
- Home to innovators including Kairos Power, TRISO-X, Standard Nuclear, LIS Technologies, Nano Nuclear, BWXT, Orano, Oklo, Radiant, Type One Energy, and others.
- Companies consistently cite political support, ORNL collaboration, community acceptance, and available talent as reasons for locating here.
- Increasing cluster momentum creates supply-chain, workforce, and collaboration advantages.
6. A Skilled, Nuclear-Experienced Workforce
Tennessee offers one of the deepest and most specialized nuclear talent pools in the country.
- A knowledgeable populace shaped by decades of nuclear operations and federal missions.
- The nation’s first—and top-ranked—UT Nuclear Engineering program, plus Tennessee Tech’s B.S. in Nuclear Engineering.
- Nuclear technician training through Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, community colleges, and strong apprenticeship/labor partnerships.
- ORAU’s new STEM Accelerator
- Statewide alliance of workforce partners working to expand the talent pipeline
7. A United, Pro-Nuclear Community & State
Tennessee benefits from uncommon alignment across federal, state, and local leadership—creating a supportive environment for nuclear growth.
- Federal support: Nuclear advocacy led by Chuck Fleischmann, Chair of the House Energy and Water Development Subcommittee and co-chair of the House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus.
- State leadership: A pro-nuclear Governor and Legislature have invested $152.6 million in nuclear company recruitment, workforce development, and fission and fusion R&D.
- Local alignment: Anderson County, Roane County, and the City of Oak Ridge collaborate through the Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation.
- Companies cite strong leadership, community acceptance, and smooth integration.
- Decades of national security and nuclear missions provide a strong social license.
8. Proven Reindustrialization
Tennessee knows how to turn federal legacy sites into modern industrial hubs.
- UCOR’s nationally recognized cleanup work has prepared market-ready land across the Oak Ridge Corridor.
- Heritage Center and the Horizon Center Industrial Park now host modern nuclear and technology companies.
- Decades of successful land transfers create confidence for future investors and developers.
9. Strategic Location for National Security & Energy Leadership
Tennessee is uniquely suited to help the nation meet growing energy demand and strengthen national security.
- Y-12’s mission, ORNL’s scientific in fission and fusion technologies and national security leadership, along with TVA’s nuclear fleet anchor a secure energy and manufacturing ecosystem.
- Ideal for powering high-performance and quantum computing, AI, industrial growth, and electrification.
- The combination of history, capability, and innovation makes Tennessee the best place to build the future of nuclear energy.
10. A Pro-Growth Tax & Business Environment
Tennessee’s pro-growth tax structure strengthens its ability to attract talent, support company expansion, and accelerate long-term investment across the nuclear ecosystem.
- No state income tax, increasing take-home pay and strengthening talent recruitment and retention.
- Low overall tax burden for individuals and businesses compared to peer states.
- Predictable, business-friendly tax policy that supports long-term planning and capital investment.
- Competitive cost of living and operating costs, amplifying the impact of high-value wages in advanced energy and manufacturing.
Tennessee consistently ranks among the most tax-competitive states for business.
11: A Thriving Innovation & Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Tennessee’s innovation ecosystem accelerates commercialization across advanced energy and nuclear-adjacent technologies.
- Launch Tennessee coordinates a statewide network supporting founders, investors, and high-growth companies.
- Deep ties between research, national labs, and industry enable rapid technology transfer and scale-up.
- ORNL’s Innovation Crossroads accelerates commercialization of breakthrough energy and materials technologies.
- The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Spark Cleantech Accelerator supports startups advancing clean and advanced energy technologies.
- Techstars legacy, regional incubators, and signature events including Innov865 Week, Startup Day, Innovation Week, and the annual 3686 Entrepreneurship Festival, connect founders, researchers, industry, and investors across the state.
