West Virginia Takes ‘Significant Step Forward’ In Campaign To Host Federal Nuclear Campus

[Marlin]

West Virginia Takes 'Significant Step Forward' In Campaign To Host Federal Nuclear Campus

https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2026/09/west-virginia-takes-significant-step-forward-in-campaign-to-host-federal-nuclear-campus/

[Core Content]

West Virginia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Energy to compete as a potential site for a nuclear lifecycle innovation campus. The state joins Idaho, Tennessee, Utah, Oklahoma, and Louisiana in the selection process for the facility, which aims to centralize nuclear fuel and technology development.

The proposed campus would integrate fuel fabrication, enrichment, reprocessing, and waste storage, potentially supporting small modular reactors for manufacturing and power generation. This initiative aligns with federal goals to quadruple domestic nuclear capacity by 2050. For the industry, the project represents a shift toward regional hubs that combine research, industrial manufacturing, and energy production to support grid stability and long-term energy security.

CHARLESTON – After a campaign led by Gov. Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia is now being added to a list of states up for consideration for a nuclear lifecycle innovation campus, though environmental advocates have concerns. Morrisey – flanked by state Office of Energy Director Nicholas Preservati and Thomas Mapes, chief of staff for the federal [...]

Morrisey - flanked by state Office of Energy Director Nicholas Preservati and Thomas Mapes, chief of staff for the federal Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy - announced Tuesday afternoon that West Virginia was now joining five other states up for consideration for a nuclear lifecycle innovation campus. The other states under consideration are Idaho, Tennessee, Utah, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Read the full article at The Intelligencer:
https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2026/09/west-virginia-takes-significant-step-forward-in-campaign-to-host-federal-nuclear-campus/