August Energycast Now Available
 In this packed episode, we spotlight the East Tennessee Economic Council's 2026 Nuclear Opportunities Workshop. This year's event attracted record-breaking attendance from nuclear industry leadership, and Governor Bill Lee was also on hand to discuss the innovation and economic growth happening in Oak Ridge.
Our team visited the construction site for Triso-X’s nuclear fuel campus, where progress continues on the TX-1 facility and plans are underway for future production and research facilities. Another nuclear company, Radiant, installed the final steel beam to frame its microreactor factory in Oak Ridge. Cleanup crews began tearing down former isotope labs at ORNL to open space for future research, and Isotek celebrated the grand opening for a new laboratory that will speed the delivery of life saving isotopes for next generation cancer treatment research.
Nuclear Resurgence on Display During Volunteer State Visit
 1,200 government and industry leaders from 35 states and four countries gathered at the East Tennessee Economic Council's 2026 Nuclear Opportunities Workshop to discuss advances in the nuclear industry and what’s needed to maintain momentum. Assistant Secretary of Environmental Management (EM) Tim Walsh made his message clear: EM is creating opportunities for the private industry and paving the way for big things. He shared how Oak Ridge is serving as an early model of what’s possible as EM cleans land and transfers it back to the community for revitalization.
New Lab Will Speed Cleanup and Cancer Research
 DOE and Isotek finished installing a new analytical laboratory supporting the highest priority cleanup project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and speeding the delivery of crucial material for cancer treatment research. Isotek can analyze samples for faster results and delivery to TerraPower Isotopes. Employees will now receive results in about two weeks instead of four months
Groundwater Study Completed to Inform Disposal Facility Design
 DOE completed a two-year data collection campaign that measured groundwater elevation levels, a crucial component to inform its Environmental Management Disposal Facility project. This information provides valuable information for the landfill’s final design. With the groundwater data finalized, the project moves to the next major construction phase.
Deactivation Progress Moves Reactor Closer to Teardown
 DOE has made significant headway deactivating the Oak Ridge Research Reactor since crews successfully removed the reactor vessel two years ago. Crews have are now removing hazards in the basement to bring the large facility a step closer to near-term demolition.
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