Tennessee Tech would be interested in joining the governor’s proposed nuclear energy council if asked.
Governor Bill Lee issues an executive order establishing the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council. Lee said it is vital for Tennessee to invest in long-term strategies for energy creation.
The university will soon be re-launching its nuclear engineering program in part to support the governor’s effort to bring Tennessee back to the forefront of the nuclear industry.
Lee said the council will include a representative of higher education interests. College of Engineering Dean Joseph Slater said he believes it is important to have involvement from academics.
“I think it’s essential to have academic input on that council because the way we are going to get to the forefront and stay at the forefront of nuclear energy is to generate those experts, those engineers, and scientists who understand nuclear energy,” Slater said. “And to do that, the way we’re going to do that is to have higher education be a part of that.”
Slater said the council will be beneficial in keeping Tennessee a national leader in the nuclear industry.
“I think it’s prudent that Tennessee have a leadership board that can guide us in the re-emergence of nuclear engineering in the nation right here. Make sure that Tennessee stays at the forefront.”
Slater said it is important for Tennessee to remain a national and worldwide leader in nuclear engineering. He said as the world moves more towards using more nuclear energy, the industry will get more competitive.
“We have to be the place that everybody looks to for leadership in there because you really only have one shot to be in the lead when something starts to emerge,” Slater said. “If somebody else starts and takes that lead we will be playing catch up, that’s what will drive people away.”
Slater said Tennessee needs to draw in companies and investors in order to stay at the leading edge of the nuclear energy industry.
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