LIS Technologies to Invest More Than $1 Billion in Laser Uranium Enrichment Facility in Tennessee
January 16, 2026 - OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Deputy Gov. and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Laser Isotope Separation Technologies officials announced today the company will expand in Roane County.
LIS Technologies will create 203 jobs and invest $1.38 billion in an Oak Ridge, Tennessee, facility on the formerly named Duct Island. This announcement marks the third-largest nuclear-related investment since the creation of TNECD’s Nuclear Energy Fund.
Upon completion, the Oak Ridge facility, which will locate on the historic K-25 uranium enrichment site, is intended to become the first U.S.-origin commercial laser uranium enrichment plant in the world, supporting U.S. utilities, next-generation reactor developers and national defense requirements while helping to reestablish a resilient domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.
The project underscores Oak Ridge’s historic and continuing role in America’s nuclear enterprise and reinforces Tennessee’s position at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to rebuild domestic uranium enrichment capacity critical to U.S. energy and national security.
Additionally, today’s announcement follows recent funding LIS Technologies received from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In 2024, the company was selected by the DOE as one of six domestic companies to participate in the Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) Enrichment Acquisition Program. This initiative allocates up to $3.4 billion in funding, with contracts anticipated to last up to 10 years.
Founded in 2023 with its office and laser enrichment research and development headquartered in Oak Ridge in the recently renovated K-1330 building, LIS Technologies is the seventh company to locate in Tennessee for its commercial operations utilizing the Nuclear Energy Fund.
The $50 million fund was in Gov. Lee’s recommended 2023-2024 budget and approved by the Tennessee General Assembly. An additional $10 million was allocated and approved in the state’s budget during both the 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions, bringing the fund’s total to $70 million since its inception.
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“Tennessee is leading the nation in advancing American energy independence, which is why innovative companies like LIS Technologies are choosing to do business here. By creating the Nuclear Energy Fund, we have uniquely positioned our state at the forefront of cutting-edge research and development, and I look forward to the opportunity this expansion will create for Tennesseans.” – Gov. Bill Lee
“This investment reflects the continued momentum of Tennessee’s nuclear sector and builds on a strong year for nuclear energy in our state. LIS Technologies’ nearly $1.4 billion investment is a major win for Tennessee, and we believe Oak Ridge is uniquely positioned to support this project’s success. I am grateful to the leadership of LIS Technologies and to our partners in Oak Ridge for helping bring today’s announcement to fruition.” – Deputy Gov. and TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter
“Selecting Oak Ridge is both a strategic and symbolic decision for LIS Technologies. This community represents the foundation of America’s enrichment capability and the future of its clean energy and national security mission. Our laser enrichment technology fundamentally changes the economics of enrichment, enabling faster deployment, lower capital intensity and long-term cost advantages. With our NRC licensing process underway, we are moving deliberately toward construction readiness and positioning the U.S. to lead the world in commercial laser enrichment.” – Jay Yu, executive chairman and CEO, LIS Technologies
“This investment represents more than the construction of a single facility. It reflects a commitment to restoring a critical domestic capability, advancing peaceful nuclear technologies and strengthening the U.S.’ competitiveness in an evolving global energy landscape. As global demand for nuclear fuel grows and existing supply tightens, the opportunity – and responsibility – to act is clear. This project is a meaningful step toward reestablishing U.S. enrichment capacity and rebuilding the nuclear fuel cycle.” – Christo Liebenberg, president and co-founder, LIS Technologies
“TVA is proud to support LIS Technologies as it establishes its commercial operations in Oak Ridge. This investment not only reinforces the region’s leadership in nuclear innovation but also creates more than 200 jobs that strengthen our local economy. As the nation’s largest public power provider, TVA is committed to fostering partnerships that advance clean energy solutions and ensure a reliable, affordable power supply for the communities we serve. LIS Technologies’ work aligns with our mission to drive innovation and energy security across the Tennessee Valley.” – Don Moul, president and CEO, TVA
“I am excited to welcome LIS Technologies to Roane County. The Oak Ridge Corridor is the natural fit for LIS Technologies’ future enrichment plans. This announcement adds to the incredible momentum in the region to build a nuclear energy ecosystem and serve as our nation’s nuclear innovation hub. We stand united to help make LIS Technologies successful in providing more commercially available nuclear fuel for our energy and national security.” – Roane County Executive Wade Creswell
“Oak Ridge is fortunate to be home to a broad range of companies leading the nation’s nuclear renaissance. Whether developing and operating small modular reactors or producing nuclear fuel, these companies all come to Oak Ridge because they rely on the cutting-edge science and highly specialized manufacturing practices we have here. LIS Technologies brings a unique laser enrichment technology that is scalable, efficient and cost-effective for our city’s growing nuclear industry. I am proud of the work LIS Technologies is doing, and we are proud to welcome and support their expansion here in Oak Ridge.” – Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch
“LIS Technologies’ investment in Oak Ridge is a major win for East Tennessee. This project will create more than 200 high-quality jobs and bring a $1.38 billion investment to the former K-25 site, further cementing our region’s role as a leader in advanced energy and innovation.” – Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston)
About LIS Technologies
LIS Technologies Inc. (LIST) is a USA based, proprietary developer of a patented advanced laser technology, making use of infrared lasers to selectively excite the molecules of desired isotopes to separate them from other isotopes. The Laser Isotope Separation Technology (L.I.S.T) has a huge range of applications, including being the only USA-origin (and patented) laser uranium enrichment company, and several major advantages over traditional methods such as gas diffusion, centrifuges, and prior art laser enrichment. The LIST proprietary laser-based process is more energy-efficient and has the potential to be deployed with highly competitive capital and operational costs. L.I.S.T is optimized for LEU (Low Enriched Uranium) for existing civilian nuclear power plants, High-Assay LEU (HALEU) for the next generation of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and Microreactors, the production of stable isotopes for medical and scientific research, and applications in quantum computing manufacturing for semiconductor technologies. The Company employs a world class nuclear technical team working alongside leading nuclear entrepreneurs and industry professionals, possessing strong relationships with government and private nuclear industries.
For more information, please visit LaserIsTech.com. Follow us on X and LinkedIn.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD)
TNECD is the state’s primary agency committed to fostering economic growth through job creation and community development. By attracting new corporate investment and facilitating the growth of existing businesses, the department works to strengthen Tennessee’s competitive landscape. Additionally, TNECD strives to increase the economic prosperity for all Tennesseans by providing grants to communities statewide, helping them to become vibrant, business-friendly environments where companies can flourish. For more information, visit us at tnecd.com. Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
Source: TNECD News | LIS Technology to Invest More Than $1 Billion in Laser Uranium Enrichment Facility