Tennessee Governor Lee signed an executive order on Tuesday to establish the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council.
No other state comes close to TN’s legacy & potential to lead in nuclear energy.
Today, I signed an executive order to continue our work to make TN the #1 state for nuclear energy companies to invest & thrive, bringing more jobs & greater opportunity for Tennesseans. pic.twitter.com/DKBmqH9RY0— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) May 16, 2023
Executive Order 101 looks to “build upon the state’s legacy in nuclear innovation and drive continued investment to create a nuclear energy ecosystem for the future of Tennessee,” according to the governor’s office.
The advisory council will consist of 15 members, including members of the Lee administration, the Tennessee General Assembly, Tennessee’s Congressional Delegation, and stakeholders within the nuclear industry. One of the 15 advisory council members will be appointed to serve as chair by the governor.
Per the executive order, by December 31, the chair of the advisory council is to deliver a preliminary report containing, at a minimum, an analysis of the following:
- Whether regulatory, workforce, or education barriers exist to the creation and expansion of nuclear energy facilities in the State;
- Funding opportunities for state government, local governments, and the private sector; and
- Opportunities for the State to harness existing and emerging technologies.
In addition, by October 31, 2024, the council is to recommend the following actions to advance Tennessee’s ability to lead the nation in nuclear energy:
- Legislative, policy and budgetary changes to address regulatory, workforce or education barriers that exist to the creation and expansion of nuclear energy facilities in Tennessee;
- Funding opportunities for state government, local governments and the private sector;
- Storage and waste practices that continue the state’s long history of conserving Tennessee’s natural resources; and
- Federal actions that Tennessee should pursue with federal partners and agencies.
“Tennessee is ready-made to lead America’s energy independence and drive continued economic growth with safe, clean and reliable nuclear energy for the future,” Lee said in a statement. “Today, I’m signing an executive order that will continue our work to make Tennessee the number one state for nuclear energy companies to invest and thrive, bringing greater opportunity and quality jobs for Tennesseans.”
Lee’s enactment of Executive Order 101 comes just days after he joined industry leaders at the annual Nuclear Energy Assembly in Washington, D.C., to “highlight Tennessee’s leading role in the future of American energy.”
Tennessee is home to the Y‑12 National Security Complex, which is one of six production facilities in the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA’s) Nuclear Security Enterprise.
Nuclear power protects air quality as a zero-emission, clean energy source. In addition, nuclear energy produces more electricity on less land than any other clean-air source while producing minimal waste, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Governor Lee Signed an Executive Order to Continue Working Towards Making Tennessee the Number One State for Nuclear Energy Companies to Invest and Thrive” by Gov. Bill Lee.
