UTK, Roane State will benefit from allocations from the “Tennessee’s Nuclear Energy Fund”
Both campuses, which are in close proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will play a vital role in attracting nuclear companies to the region with enhanced curriculum and equipment.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter have announced that the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Roane State Community College will receive funding from “Tennessee’s Nuclear Energy Fund.”
The institutions 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 Governor Lee. “Tennessee has the right assets in place to become a top state for energy independence, and we are proud to partner with the University of Tennessee (UT) and Roane State Community College to upskill our talented workforce and better prepare Tennesseans to enter the nuclear field.”
UT will establish a new program for non-nuclear engineers to obtain a minor in nuclear engineering at its Knoxville campus. The additional degree will better prepare these engineers entering the nuclear energy field and will shorten the time needed to provide extensive training by their employers.
Separately, funding will also be used to support Roane State Community College in purchasing laboratory equipment for its inaugural nuclear technology program, which launches in the fall of 2024.
Both campuses, which are in close proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will play a vital role in attracting nuclear companies to the region with the enhanced curriculum and equipment.
The $50 million Nuclear Energy Fund was in the Governor’s recommended 2023-2024 budget and approved by the Tennessee General Assembly to expand Tennessee’s nuclear development and manufacturing ecosystem.
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