Heidi Campbell

Tennessee is among five states competing for a $50 billion nuclear energy campus that would create 25,000 jobs. Gov. Bill Lee expressed optimism about the state's chances but acknowledged uncertainty about nuclear waste storage. The project involves nuclear fuel production, reactor construction, and recycling, with Tennessee leveraging its historical role in nuclear research and production, including the Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge.

Sen. Heidi Campbell requested Gov. Bill Lee to disclose details about Tennessee's potential federal nuclear partnership, including the location of new nuclear sites. The U.S. Department of Energy is considering Tennessee as a finalist for a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus near Oak Ridge to support nuclear fuel lifecycle activities.

Tennessee is a finalist for a U.S. Department of Energy program to expand nuclear energy infrastructure, including facilities for the full nuclear fuel lifecycle. The state has a history of nuclear activity through the Tennessee Valley Authority and Oak Ridge, but concerns exist about radioactive waste transparency and long-term commitments to increased nuclear production.

Tennessee lawmakers approved a $356 million increase for Student First Technologies, LLC, raising its contract to nearly $637 million over five years to administer private-school voucher programs. The expansion follows a 15,000-student increase in the Education Freedom Scholarship program and comes despite the vendor's past issues in Arkansas and West Virginia.