Tennessee establishes regulatory framework for fusion energy licensing and Type One Energy files initial licensing application for 400 MWe fusion power plant
Type: Partnership · Technology: Nuclear · Country: United States · Capacity: 400 MWe · Announced: 2026-06-12
In January 2026, Type One Energy submitted an initial licensing application to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) for the construction of its Infinity Two fusion power plant at the former Bull Run fossil plant site in Clinton, Tennessee. The 400 MWe baseload facility will use stellarator fusion technology and is anticipated to begin construction in 2028 under Tennessee's newly established regulatory framework for fusion energy systems. The project will function as a fusion development campus through collaborative initiatives with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Tennessee. Tennessee's regulatory framework, effective June 9, 2026, classifies fusion machines as byproduct material systems, aligning with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's 2023 guidance that excludes fusion from nuclear reactor licensing requirements. TDEC Commissioner David Salyers highlighted Tennessee's ambition to become a global hub for nuclear innovation, positioning the state as the first in the US to create a dedicated regulatory pathway for fusion energy development.
Analysis
Type One Energy submitted an initial licensing application to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) on January 2026 for a 400 MWe fusion power plant at the former Bull Run fossil plant site in Clinton, Tennessee. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) serves 10 million people across seven states with reliable, affordable energy. The project will function as a fusion development campus through collaborative initiatives with the TVA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Tennessee. Tennessee's regulatory framework, effective June 9, 2026, classifies fusion machines as byproduct material systems. The construction of the Infinity Two fusion power plant is anticipated to begin in 2028.
Key points
- 400 MWe fusion power plant
- January 2026: initial licensing application submitted
- June 9, 2026: Tennessee's regulatory framework for fusion energy systems became effective
- 2028: anticipated start of construction for the Infinity Two fusion power plant
Counterparties
- Tennessee Valley Authority (Partner)
- University of Tennessee (Partner)
- Type One Energy (Developer)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Partner)
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (Regulator)