Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov & Canva
Tennessee Conservative News [By David Seal] –
State Representative Ed Butler (R-Rickman) has expressed concerns over the storage of nuclear waste materials in Tennessee, especially underground storage in “deep bore” sites in the Upper Cumberland region and in Tennessee generally.
Butler represents Overton, Morgan, and parts of Anderson, Fentress, and Roane Counties. He recognizes the extraordinary economic potential for Tennessee in having small scale nuclear reactors manufactured within the state and the added generating capacity that will be realized when small modular reactors (SMR) become part of the electrical grid.
The initiative to increase nuclear equipment manufacturing, development, research, investment, and bring additional nuclear generating capacity on-line is called the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus (NLIC), a comprehensive effort that Butler supports.
With bipartisan support, the Tennessee Senate approved SJR 887 expressing support for the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, which states in part “Tennesseans have always answered America’s call; embodying a “Volunteer Spirit” passed down from generation to generation, we stand ready to answer President Trump’s charge to unleash the domestic nuclear industrial base and secure American energy dominance..… on January 28, 2026, the United States Department of Energy invited states to host Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses—integrated hubs integrating the full nuclear value chain—that could each attract up to $50 billion dollars in private investment, create tens of thousands of jobs, and begin initial operations as early as 2027”
A link is provided here to the full text of SJR 887.
Butler provided the Tennessee Conservative News with an exclusive interview concerning the NLIC including the following commentary.
“I support the nuclear innovation campus and the continued development and expansion of our nuclear footprint in Tennessee. Nuclear offers a reliable solution to the energy demand challenges facing Tennessee and the nation. The enormous investments in nuclear in East Tennessee are providing numerous opportunities for a large portion of middle and East Tennessee. The investment in the small modular reactors (SMR) is just one example of the potential. With an estimated cost of the first reactor at roughly six billion dollars, it’s hard to truly assess the overall Impact to Tennessee. Once Tennessee begins producing SMRs to other states revenues could creep into the trillions within a decade.” – said Ed Butler
Butler added that he sent Governor Bill Lee a letter expressing his concerns about how nuclear waste materials would be stored. “I recently sent the governor a letter opposing nuclear waste storage in Tennessee. My specific concern is the storage underground or a deep bore storage of nuclear waste. Tennessee has had nuclear materials moving in and across our state for decades. Nuclear waste is stored at our nuclear plants above ground.”
A copy of Representative Butler’s letter to Governor Lee is provided below.
Multiple public officials in Tennessee have expressed support for NLIC including the following.
• The Honorable Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator, Tennessee
• The Honorable Bill Hagerty, U.S. Senator, Tennessee
• The Honorable Chuck Fleischmann, U.S. Congressman, 3rd District of Tennessee
• The Honorable Warren L. Gooch, Mayor, City of Oak Ridge Tennessee
• The Honorable Terry Frank, Mayor, Anderson County
• Wade Creswell, County Executive, Roane County Government
• Michael E. Magill, President, Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation
• Anthony Holt, Executive Director, Association of County Mayors
• John Eschenberg, Senior Vice President-Energy & Environment, Amentum
• Dr. Jacob DeWitte, CEO and Co-Founder, Oklo Inc.
• Jean-Luc Palayer, CEO, Orano USA
Text from the State of Tennessee Response to RFI on the Establishment of Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus states in part “On January 28, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a Request for Information (RFI) on the Establishment of Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. DOE seeks feedback from states interested in hosting said Innovation Campuses to anchor integrated, full-cycle nuclear ecosystems that could co-locate and support the entire nuclear value chain while exploring durable pathways for managing used nuclear materials in a safe, secure, and fiscally responsible manner.”
The 209-page statement of intent concerning the NLIC, which contains web links, citations, letters of support and a full description of the NLIC as it relates to Tennessee and its commitment to nuclear lifecycle, with redactions of confidential data, is linked HERE.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Stuff NEEDS to be put in the desert.