Area residents named to Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced appointments to the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council, recently created by an executive ordefr to position Tennessee as a national leader for nuclear energy innovation and advancement. The council includes several area residents.

The appointees bring a broad range of industry experience that will build upon the state’s legacy in nuclear innovation and drive continued investment to create a nuclear energy ecosystem for the future of Tennessee,including business development, government relations and stewardship of natural resources, according to a news release.

“Tennessee can lead America’s energy independence and deliver continued economic growth with safe,reliable and clean nuclear energy for the future,” said Gov. Lee. “I am confident that these appointees will usetheir unique industry expertise to ensure that Tennessee is the top state for nuclear energy companies toinvest and succeed, creating quality jobs and greater opportunity for Tennesseans.”

Gov. Lee appointed:

• Commissioner David Salyers, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

• Braden Stover, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

• Director Patrick Sheehan, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

• Loong Yong, Spectra Tech, congressional delegation designee

• Adam DeMella, ADG Strategies, congressional delegation designee

• Don Moul, Tennessee Valley Authority representative

• Jeff Smith, Oak Ridge National Laboratory representative

• Wes Hines, University of Tennessee, higher education representative

• Tracy Boatner, East Tennessee Economic Council, workforce development representative

• Mayor Terry Frank, Anderson County, local government representative

• Chris Jones, Middle Tennessee Electric, utilities representative

• Jennifer Stone, Thompson Engineering Inc., energy production representative

• Hash Hashemian, Analysis and Measurement Services, nuclear industry representative

Members at-large

• Michelle Amante-Harstine

• Blake Harris

• Steve Jones

• Maria Korsnick

• Padma Raghavan

• Ken Rueter

• Lang Wiseman

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, appointed state Sen. Ken Yager, R-Kingston, and state House of Representatives Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, who grew up in Oak Ridge, appointed state Rep. Clark Boyd, R-Lebanon.

"Energy independence will be critical to our nation's future success,” McNally stated in the release. “The development and expansion of clean and efficient nuclear power is the path to that independence. Tennessee is uniquely positioned to contribute mightily to innovation and advancement in the nuclear energy sector. I am grateful to Gov. Lee for creating this council and to Sen. Yager for agreeing to serve. Another great opportunity for Tennessee to lead the nation."

Lee also partnered with the Tennessee General Assembly to create a $50 million Nuclear Fund in the state’s Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget. The fund, proposed by Gov. Lee at his 2023 State of the State address in February, will establish a nuclear development and manufacturing ecosystem built for the future of Tennessee by providing grants and assistance to support nuclear power-related businesses that choose to relocate or grow in the state.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Area residents named to Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council