CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that West Virginia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Energy to become the sixth state participating in the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus initiative, creating a major opportunity for nuclear energy investment, advanced manufacturing and thousands of new jobs in West Virginia.
“This is a major opportunity for West Virginia to help lead America’s nuclear renaissance and bring another generation of investment and good-paying jobs to our state,” said Governor Morrisey. “President Trump and Secretary Wright understand that America needs abundant, reliable energy and a strong domestic nuclear industry to compete and win. West Virginia has powered this country for generations, and we have the resources, workers and industrial capabilities to help build America’s nuclear future right here at home.”
The Department of Energy estimates that establishment of a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus could attract billions in capital investment and create many thousands of jobs.
Earlier this year, DOE selected Idaho, Tennessee, Utah, Oklahoma and Louisiana as potential host states. West Virginia subsequently worked with the Department to join the initiative and has now finalized an MOU to become its sixth participating state.
“I’m thrilled that West Virginia is partnering with the Department of Energy to explore the development of a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus and help deliver on President Trump’s ambitious vision to restore America’s domestic nuclear fuel cycle and unleash the next American nuclear renaissance,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “These campuses will be massive engines of economic growth—each one capable of attracting up to $50 billion in capital investment, generating as much as $10 billion in state and local tax revenue, and creating nearly 25,000 American jobs. This is exactly the kind of bold partnership we need to rebuild our nuclear industrial base, strengthen our energy security, and get America building again.”
A Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus could support activities across the full nuclear fuel lifecycle, including fuel fabrication and enrichment, reprocessing and recycling used nuclear fuel, advanced reactor deployment, power generation, research and advanced manufacturing.
For West Virginia, the opportunity extends well beyond nuclear generation. Building America’s nuclear supply chain will require steel, manufactured components, abundant energy and a highly skilled workforce, creating potential new opportunities for the state’s metallurgical coal and natural gas industries, manufacturers, utilities, contractors, colleges and universities.
The announcement follows Governor Morrisey’s announcement last week of more than $81 billion in new private-sector investment, bringing the total announced since October 2025 to approximately $96 billion and more than 19,000 projected jobs.
“We aren’t interested in simply being the sixth state on a list,” Governor Morrisey said. “We’re at the table, and now we’re going to compete. To the companies building America’s nuclear future, our message is simple: Come to West Virginia.”
The MOU establishes a framework for West Virginia and DOE to evaluate potential locations, infrastructure and workforce advantages, engage communities and industry partners and continue discussions toward a potential hosting agreement. Development of a campus and any future investment or job creation would depend on subsequent agreements, private-sector participation, regulatory approvals and other development decisions.
