West Virginia withdraws bid for federal nuclear innovation campus

West Virginia has officially withdrawn its bid to host a federal Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus (NLIC). The state Office of Energy announced on September 30 that it is unable to execute the required hosting agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy or fully commit to the program's specific requirements.

The decision follows controversy regarding the scope of the initial proposal. While the NLIC initiative aims to attract up to $50 billion in investment and create thousands of jobs, West Virginia’s proposal included provisions for spent nuclear fuel storage and recycling. Following reports that the administration’s proposal included addressing out-of-state radioactive waste, Governor Patrick Morrisey clarified that the state “will not be a dumping ground for nuclear waste.”

Despite dropping the bid for the campus, state officials stated they remain committed to supporting national nuclear energy initiatives and the Department of Energy’s broader vision for nuclear development.