Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced that Tennessee Tech University (Tech) will receive funding from Tennessee’s Nuclear Energy Fund.
The institution will use the additional dollars to support existing nuclear programs as well as develop and implement new nuclear education curriculum.
“Our administration created the Nuclear Energy Fund in partnership with the Tennessee General assembly to support and expand the state’s nuclear ecosystem,” said Gov. Lee. “Tennessee is ready to secure its place as the top state for energy independence, and we are proud to partner with Tennessee Tech University to upskill our talented workforce and prepare students to enter the nuclear field.”
In response to growing workforce needs of nuclear companies in Tennessee, Tech established a nuclear engineering program, designed to bolster student recruitment and complement existing nuclear engineering programs across the state.
The curriculum will include principles of nuclear energy production, reactor systems design, spent fuel reprocessing, nuclear safety and nuclear cybersecurity.
“Tennessee Tech University is deeply appreciative to Gov. Lee, Commissioner McWhorter and the entire Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for their generous support of our nuclear engineering degree program. We share the state leaders’ conviction that Tennessee has a pivotal role to play in the nuclear renaissance, and as Tennessee’s premier STEM institution, we know that Tech is uniquely equipped to prepare the next generation of the nuclear energy workforce,” said Dr. Phil Oldham, President of Tennessee Tech University. “This funding will help Tech hire and retain outstanding nuclear engineering faculty and give our students the strongest possible start as they work toward this degree. Most importantly, with more than 80 percent of our engineering graduates staying in Tennessee to work, this is an investment in Tennessee’s future, too.”
The enhanced program at the Cookeville campus will play a vital role in attracting nuclear companies to the region.
“Tennessee is quickly emerging as a major hub nationwide for nuclear research and development, and since February, we have announced five projects that will further strengthen Tennessee’s position as a leader in safe, clean and reliable energy for the future.” said Commissioner McWhorter. “Tech is the latest institution to receive funding that will support our efforts to fortify Tennessee’s nuclear sector by attracting new investment and high-quality jobs to the region.”
The $50 million Nuclear Energy Fund was in Gov. Lee’s recommended 2023-2024 budget and approved by the Tennessee General Assembly. An additional $10 million was allocated and approved in the state’s budget during the 2024 legislative session.
The fund assists nuclear power-related businesses choosing to relocate or grow in the Volunteer State and supports the state’s universities and research institutions in further developing their nuclear education programs.
The project announced today was supported by the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Council’s Education and Workforce committee, part of the 22-member Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council.
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