CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is officially stepping into the nation’s emerging nuclear renaissance. Governor Patrick Morrisey announced Tuesday that the state has signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Energy, becoming the sixth state to participate in the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus initiative — a move that could bring billions in capital investment and tens of thousands of jobs to the Mountain State.
Governor Morrisey called the agreement a “major opportunity” for West Virginia to help rebuild America’s nuclear industrial base and secure long‑term economic growth. He emphasized that the state’s workforce, manufacturing capabilities, and energy resources position West Virginia to play a central role in the nation’s nuclear future.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said each campus could attract up to $50 billion in investment, generate as much as $10 billion in tax revenue, and create nearly 25,000 jobs, describing the initiative as a “massive engine of economic growth” aligned with President Trump’s push to restore the domestic nuclear fuel cycle.
The campus concept spans the full nuclear lifecycle — including fuel fabrication, enrichment, recycling, advanced reactor deployment, power generation, research, and high‑tech manufacturing. For West Virginia, the opportunity extends beyond nuclear energy itself, potentially boosting demand for steel, metallurgical coal, natural gas, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing.
Today’s announcement follows a surge of economic development activity in the state. Governor Morrisey recently reported more than $96 billion in private‑sector investment announced since October 2025, along with 19,000 projected jobs.
The MOU sets the stage for West Virginia and DOE to evaluate potential sites, infrastructure strengths, workforce assets, and community partnerships. Any future development would depend on additional agreements, regulatory approvals, and private‑sector participation.
Governor Morrisey said West Virginia intends not just to join the initiative — but to compete. “Our message to the companies building America’s nuclear future is simple,” he said. “Come to West Virginia.”
