Officials share details on possible Oklahoma nuclear campus at Tulsa briefing
In a Tulsa briefing, officials detailed plans for a proposed Oklahoma nuclear campus that leaders say could create about 25,000 jobs across the state.
Oklahoma leaders shared new plans in Tulsa for a proposed nuclear lifecycle innovation campus. The federal project could bring thousands of long-term jobs and university research partnerships to the state. The federal Department of Energy named Oklahoma one of six finalists in July.
Officials explained the project structure during a briefing on Wednesday. The proposed site would consist of three operational nodes. It would focus on reactor deployment and isotope production. It would also handle enrichment through recycling and manage used nuclear fuel.
Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment Jeff Starling said multiple state communities want to host the site. He described the project as a multi-generational economic opportunity for local families.
“I think people understand that this is an economic opportunity that is not only for them and their children, but for them, their children, their grandchildren, their great grandchildren,” said Starling. “The investment in nuclear is not something that will be gone after 10 years.”
The project would create about 25,000 jobs, Starling said. It would also bring research opportunities to Oklahoma universities.
The federal Department of Energy oversees national energy policy and manages nuclear infrastructure programs across the country. Federal selection processes typically narrow multistate applicant pools through competitive technical reviews before final awards.
Federal officials plan to select three states by the end of the year. Tulsa leaders continue to monitor the final federal decision.
