Oklahoma is one of five states selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to move forward as a potential host for a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, a federal initiative aimed at strengthening the nation’s nuclear fuel cycle while boosting manufacturing and energy production
Related Story:Oklahoma Named DOE Finalist for Proposed Nuclear Innovation Campus
The department announced Tuesday that Oklahoma, Utah, Tennessee, Louisiana and Idaho were chosen after reviewing 28 applications from 26 states. The agency has signed Memorandums of Understanding with each state to continue evaluating potential campus locations
What the proposed campus would include
According to the DOE, the campuses are intended to support multiple stages of the nuclear fuel lifecycle, including:
- Fuel fabrication
- Uranium enrichment
- Used nuclear fuel reprocessing
- Final disposition of used nuclear fuel
- Advanced reactor deployment
- Advanced manufacturing
- Power generation
- Potential co-located data centers
Gov. Kevin Stitt said the selection allows Oklahoma to expand its long history of energy production by adding nuclear energy to the state’s portfolio. In a release, Stitt called the effort “a new frontier” and said he looks forward to working with communities, research institutions and industry partners to pursue the project
Economic impact and next steps
The DOE estimates a fully developed Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus could attract up to $50 billion in private capital investment, generate as much as $10 billion in state and local tax revenue and create nearly 25,000 jobs
The selection does not guarantee a campus will be built in Oklahoma. States that decide to continue pursuing the project are expected to negotiate hosting agreements with the Department of Energy at a later date
Oklahoma Nuclear Study Examines Safety, Workforce, and Environmental Impact
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Oklahoma Nuclear Innovation Campus
David Prock
