Tennessee’s $10 Billion Nuclear Boom: Interesting Facts of the Volunteer State Became America’s #1 Energy Powerhouse

Did You Know?

Tennessee: America’s Nuclear Energy Leader

Tennessee ranks #1 nationally for nuclear energy advancement as of January 2026, supporting over 40,000 jobs and generating $10 billion in annual economic activity.
Current Power
TVA generates over 40% of its electricity from nuclear reactors at Sequoyah and Watts Bar plants, operating the nation’s largest nuclear fleet.
Major Projects Underway
∙ Small Modular Reactors: TVA is building multiple SMRs at Clinch River (completion: early 2030s)
∙ Nuclear Fusion: Type One Energy is converting Bull Run Fossil Plant into a fusion reactor prototype (2027)
∙ Microreactors: Radiant Industries investing $280 million for world’s first portable nuclear microreactor factory in Oak Ridge
∙ Uranium Enrichment: Orano USA and Centrus Energy developing multi-billion dollar facilities for domestic fuel supply
∙ Fuel Recycling: Oklo’s $1.68 billion first-of-its-kind recycling facility in Oak Ridge
State Investment
∙ $152 million Tennessee Nuclear Fund
∙ $3 million TVA endowment to UT for nuclear engineering (January 2026)
∙ Governor Lee’s Nuclear Energy Advisory Council guiding state policy
Tennessee isn’t just talking about nuclear energy—it’s building America’s nuclear future.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​