FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2025
Contact: Cortney Piper, Executive Director, TAEBC
E: [email protected]
C: 865-789-2669
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s final State of the State address last night highlighted numerous accomplishments of Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) members, announced new initiatives to continue Tennessee’s legacy as the global epicenter of nuclear energy, and charted a course into “the future frontier” of technology.
Governor Lee’s proposed $57.9 billion budget includes strategic funding designed to support advanced energy development, research, and deployment, including:
- $50 million to continue Tennessee’s efforts to lead the nation in the adoption of artificial intelligence technology and make government work more efficiently for Tennesseans
- $25 million further investment in the Nuclear Energy Fund to attract advanced nuclear technology companies, ensuring Tennessee continues leading the nation as the epicenter of America’s nuclear renaissance
- $20 million to complete the relocation of the North Data Center
- $20 million to accelerate Tennessee’s quantum computing industry by attracting substantial federal and private-sector investment and to translate our scientific strengths into durable, high-wage job creation across advanced manufacturing, life sciences and logistics industries
- $2 million to aid in the expansion of agricultural technologies in rural communities
These major economic wins and the state’s continued support of advanced energy and technology initiatives would not have been possible without TAEBC members, including Centrus Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TVA, Google, Type One Energy, EPB, Orano, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Kairos Power, and many others.
“Governor Lee’s investments make clear that Tennessee is all in on advanced energy and next generation technology to meet America’s insatiable demand for power,” said Cortney Piper, Executive Director, TAEBC. “These commitments build on our state’s unmatched strengths and ensure Tennessee continues leading the nation in innovation, job creation, and energy leadership.”
The American Nuclear Society has named Tennessee as the #1 state for nuclear energy development. It was only last month that Governor Lee was in Oak Ridge for the announcement of Centrus Energy’s expansion of its centrifuge manufacturing plant, creating nearly 430 jobs and investing more than $560 million in Oak Ridge. When he told the story of the generations of hard work and scientific discovery that have propelled nuclear energy innovation in East Tennessee, the governor spoke of the TVA Clinch River Site.
“Five years ago we set out to be the first state in America to build a small modular reactor, and now it appears that Tennessee will be that state,” said Governor Lee.
The state also officially launched the Tennessee Quantum Initiative, a statewide effort to position Tennessee as the national leader in quantum research, infrastructure and workforce development.
“Not only will Tennessee power America, the volunteer state will be the catalyst for solving our nation’s most complex problems – using AI and quantum computing,” said Governor Lee.
At the same time, AI Tennessee, a statewide initiative led by the University of Tennessee, is preparing to convene federal and state government officials, industry executives, and university leaders in Nashville next month for its upcoming AI Tennessee Summit on March 25-26. The Summit will focus on Tennessee’s alignment with federal AI strategy—particularly around workforce development, education, energy infrastructure, and responsible deployment—and how those priorities are being translated into actionable programs, partnerships, and investments.
“But let me just say this – they’ve called Tennessee the Original Frontier – and now it’s time we’re the future frontier as well,” said Governor Lee. “My time as governor will draw to a close – not yet, but it will. Tennessee, however, is actually accelerating.”
Key highlights from the address, as well as the governor’s full speech and budget overview, can be found here.
About Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC)
TAEBC champions advanced energy as an economic development and job creation strategy. Advanced energy is technology-neutral and includes electricity and transportation. Anything that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure, or more efficient is in the tent. No other entity in the state concentrates specifically on this robust sector. We educate public officials and business leaders about Tennessee’s advanced energy economy, establish strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities, and inform policy that expands and strengthens the industry. TAEBC hosts the Energizing Tennessee podcast, which explores the latest news and insights about the advanced energy sector. For more information, visit https://tnadvancedenergy.com.