Tennessee is winning a national race to nuclear energy dominance, according to a panel of nuclear experts facilitated by U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty at the Imagine IF summit at Belmont University on Oct. 5.
“We are the nuclear center of the universe,” said Hash Hashemian, CEO of Knoxville-based nuclear engineering firm AMS Corporation, of Tennessee’s nuclear innovation corridor around Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
While 10 states are pursuing similar paths, Tennessee has come out as the leading nuclear energy producer in the country, Hashemian said.
Hagerty spoke with Hashemian and National Nuclear Security Administration Director Brandon Williams at the Imagine IF summit, a two-day conference exploring where AI, energy infrastructure, Bitcoin and open-source
technology intersect.
Their conversation ranged from the global artificial intelligence arms race to nuclear energy production and alternative energy sources.
Last week, Hagerty said, he spoke with Jensen Huang of AI giant Nvidia about implementing safety guardrails for artificial intelligence.
“Some are concerned that AI is evolving so rapidly that it could get in front of us,” Hagerty said. “Jensen articulated very clearly that slowing it down is not an option because of the competitive dynamic that exists between ourselves and China.”
He said proposals like those from Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders to put a moratorium on AI is a "fringe position."
"I think there is a strong bipartisan realization we need to do something," Hagerty said.
Whether for AI development or Bitcoin, progress will require new, innovative energy sources.
“Power is going to be key to the future," Hagerty said. "And everybody knows that nuclear is going to be the way to lead the future in terms of reliable baseload."
Hagerty touted his work on permitting reform. In 2022, he worked with colleagues to secure a provision in the Chips and Science Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden, to streamline the permitting process for nuclear reactor sites.
Hagerty said he is hopeful that after the midterm elections, there will be more bipartisan cooperation on AI.
"I'm optimistic about it because I think AI has pushed so many of my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to the realization that they can't sit back and play politics with their policies," Hagerty said. "It's become too critical to development of our competitive advantage as a nation."
Williams and Hashemian noted that Gov. Bill Lee’s administration made efforts to develop a skilled workforce and economic infrastructure around Tennessee’s nuclear corridor.
“We’re moving into another age,” Hagerty said. “And making sure that America remains at the forefront of this with our innovators, with our technology capacity, I think it would be a huge mistake to let that pass us by. And my colleagues realize that too."
Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Hagerty touts Tennessee's nuclear prowess at Imagine IF summit
