Leading the Way in Nuclear Energy and Innovation
Representative Monty Fritts shares his perspective on Tennessee’s energy future, the importance of nuclear innovation in Oak Ridge, and efforts in the General Assembly to strengthen the state’s energy policy and leadership.
Insights
Hey friends,
This is Monty Fritts, your Tennessee House Representative for District 32, which includes Roane County, portions of Loudon County, and part of Oak Ridge—the heart of what many call our nuclear and innovative energy corridor.
As someone who has spent decades working in nuclear manufacturing, I’ve had the opportunity to understand the uranium supply chain and contribute to leadership in that field over many years. That experience has given me a deep appreciation for the role Oak Ridge and Tennessee play in America’s energy future.
Unfortunately, over the past two or three decades, many federal career politicians in Washington, D.C., have failed to pay close enough attention to the growing deficit in electrical energy production across the country. Oversight of our energy infrastructure should have been a priority, yet decisions were allowed that weakened our capacity. For example, the Bull Run Steam Plant—representing about 4.3% of Tennessee’s electrical generating capacity by my calculations—was shut down without a replacement plan. That kind of decision has consequences.
Today, Tennesseans are seeing rate increases, and many of those increases can be traced back to failures at the federal level—failures to expand electrical generation and failures to remove policies that make fuel more expensive. These are issues that Congress should be addressing.
Recognizing these challenges, I stepped in during my first year in the General Assembly to begin taking action at the state level. One of the first things we did was establish a policy goal for Tennessee to become a net exporter of electricity. Producing more energy than we consume strengthens our economy, improves reliability, and positions Tennessee as a leader in the energy sector. Tennesseans deserve a seat at that policy table, and we must insist on it.
We also re-established and restructured the State Energy Policy Council. The council now includes subject matter experts from across the energy spectrum—from nuclear criticality safety and nuclear waste management to oil and gas extraction, transportation, and electrical distribution. This group provides the expertise needed to guide future governors and the General Assembly so that Tennessee can make sound, informed energy policy decisions for years to come.
Just yesterday, here on the eighth floor of the Cordell Hull Building, we hosted our Nuclear and Innovative Energy Day on the Hill. This is an event that God placed on my heart to organize, and it has been incredibly successful. Hundreds of people attended, including experts from Oak Ridge, colleges and universities, and energy leaders from across the state.
The goal is simple: to support the innovation and technological leadership that Oak Ridge is known for and expand that success across Tennessee. By working together, we can help our state lead the nation in nuclear technology and advanced energy solutions.
While some may talk about energy leadership, I believe in taking action. From House District 32, we’ve been working to move real legislation and real policy forward that supports nuclear energy and strengthens Tennessee’s energy future.
If others want to compare records, I welcome the conversation.
Show me the legislation and the actions you’ve taken, and I’ll show you what we’ve been doing here in Tennessee—leading the way in nuclear energy from House District 32.
More to Discover
Leading the Way in Nuclear Energy and Innovation
Representative Monty Fritts shares his perspective on Tennessee’s energy future, the importance of nuclear innovation in Oak Ridge, and efforts in the General Assembly to strengthen the state’s energy policy and leadership.
Insights
Hey friends,
This is Monty Fritts, your Tennessee House Representative for District 32, which includes Roane County, portions of Loudon County, and part of Oak Ridge—the heart of what many call our nuclear and innovative energy corridor.
As someone who has spent decades working in nuclear manufacturing, I’ve had the opportunity to understand the uranium supply chain and contribute to leadership in that field over many years. That experience has given me a deep appreciation for the role Oak Ridge and Tennessee play in America’s energy future.
Unfortunately, over the past two or three decades, many federal career politicians in Washington, D.C., have failed to pay close enough attention to the growing deficit in electrical energy production across the country. Oversight of our energy infrastructure should have been a priority, yet decisions were allowed that weakened our capacity. For example, the Bull Run Steam Plant—representing about 4.3% of Tennessee’s electrical generating capacity by my calculations—was shut down without a replacement plan. That kind of decision has consequences.
Today, Tennesseans are seeing rate increases, and many of those increases can be traced back to failures at the federal level—failures to expand electrical generation and failures to remove policies that make fuel more expensive. These are issues that Congress should be addressing.
Recognizing these challenges, I stepped in during my first year in the General Assembly to begin taking action at the state level. One of the first things we did was establish a policy goal for Tennessee to become a net exporter of electricity. Producing more energy than we consume strengthens our economy, improves reliability, and positions Tennessee as a leader in the energy sector. Tennesseans deserve a seat at that policy table, and we must insist on it.
We also re-established and restructured the State Energy Policy Council. The council now includes subject matter experts from across the energy spectrum—from nuclear criticality safety and nuclear waste management to oil and gas extraction, transportation, and electrical distribution. This group provides the expertise needed to guide future governors and the General Assembly so that Tennessee can make sound, informed energy policy decisions for years to come.
Just yesterday, here on the eighth floor of the Cordell Hull Building, we hosted our Nuclear and Innovative Energy Day on the Hill. This is an event that God placed on my heart to organize, and it has been incredibly successful. Hundreds of people attended, including experts from Oak Ridge, colleges and universities, and energy leaders from across the state.
The goal is simple: to support the innovation and technological leadership that Oak Ridge is known for and expand that success across Tennessee. By working together, we can help our state lead the nation in nuclear technology and advanced energy solutions.
While some may talk about energy leadership, I believe in taking action. From House District 32, we’ve been working to move real legislation and real policy forward that supports nuclear energy and strengthens Tennessee’s energy future.
If others want to compare records, I welcome the conversation.
Show me the legislation and the actions you’ve taken, and I’ll show you what we’ve been doing here in Tennessee—leading the way in nuclear energy from House District 32.
More to Discover
Leading the Way in Nuclear Energy and Innovation
Representative Monty Fritts shares his perspective on Tennessee’s energy future, the importance of nuclear innovation in Oak Ridge, and efforts in the General Assembly to strengthen the state’s energy policy and leadership.
Insights
Hey friends,
This is Monty Fritts, your Tennessee House Representative for District 32, which includes Roane County, portions of Loudon County, and part of Oak Ridge—the heart of what many call our nuclear and innovative energy corridor.
As someone who has spent decades working in nuclear manufacturing, I’ve had the opportunity to understand the uranium supply chain and contribute to leadership in that field over many years. That experience has given me a deep appreciation for the role Oak Ridge and Tennessee play in America’s energy future.
Unfortunately, over the past two or three decades, many federal career politicians in Washington, D.C., have failed to pay close enough attention to the growing deficit in electrical energy production across the country. Oversight of our energy infrastructure should have been a priority, yet decisions were allowed that weakened our capacity. For example, the Bull Run Steam Plant—representing about 4.3% of Tennessee’s electrical generating capacity by my calculations—was shut down without a replacement plan. That kind of decision has consequences.
Today, Tennesseans are seeing rate increases, and many of those increases can be traced back to failures at the federal level—failures to expand electrical generation and failures to remove policies that make fuel more expensive. These are issues that Congress should be addressing.
Recognizing these challenges, I stepped in during my first year in the General Assembly to begin taking action at the state level. One of the first things we did was establish a policy goal for Tennessee to become a net exporter of electricity. Producing more energy than we consume strengthens our economy, improves reliability, and positions Tennessee as a leader in the energy sector. Tennesseans deserve a seat at that policy table, and we must insist on it.
We also re-established and restructured the State Energy Policy Council. The council now includes subject matter experts from across the energy spectrum—from nuclear criticality safety and nuclear waste management to oil and gas extraction, transportation, and electrical distribution. This group provides the expertise needed to guide future governors and the General Assembly so that Tennessee can make sound, informed energy policy decisions for years to come.
Just yesterday, here on the eighth floor of the Cordell Hull Building, we hosted our Nuclear and Innovative Energy Day on the Hill. This is an event that God placed on my heart to organize, and it has been incredibly successful. Hundreds of people attended, including experts from Oak Ridge, colleges and universities, and energy leaders from across the state.
The goal is simple: to support the innovation and technological leadership that Oak Ridge is known for and expand that success across Tennessee. By working together, we can help our state lead the nation in nuclear technology and advanced energy solutions.
While some may talk about energy leadership, I believe in taking action. From House District 32, we’ve been working to move real legislation and real policy forward that supports nuclear energy and strengthens Tennessee’s energy future.
If others want to compare records, I welcome the conversation.
Show me the legislation and the actions you’ve taken, and I’ll show you what we’ve been doing here in Tennessee—leading the way in nuclear energy from House District 32.