Tennessee officials removed Fentress County from consideration as a potential site for a nuclear waste repository following months of opposition from local leaders and residents.
Fentress County Executive Jacob Rosenbaum said the state formally confirmed it is no longer evaluating the area for the proposed Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus.
“On this issue, Fentress County stood together. We were heard. And we can now move forward together,” Rosenbaum said.
State officials recognized the need for community support for a project of that magnitude. The Fentress County Commission previously passed a unanimous resolution opposing the disposal of spent nuclear material.
Residents also submitted a petition with thousands of signatures to state officials in Nashville expressing concerns about the proposal.
Rosenbaum initially approached the project with an open mind due to the potential economic benefits of the growing nuclear industry in Tennessee. Concerns about the long-term safety of spent nuclear material led to the opposition of the site without satisfactory answers.
State officials assured the county that the opposition would not jeopardize its relationship with the Tennessee government. This commitment includes future state support for local economic development and infrastructure improvements.
Fentress County remains open to other opportunities associated with the nuclear industry while maintaining a commitment to protecting the community. The letter did not address whether other Upper Cumberland counties remain under consideration for the repository.