Nestled in the rugged terrain of Southwestern Virginia, Wise County has long been defined by its coal-mining legacy. But today, the region is at a pivotal crossroads, poised between its storied past and a potentially transformative future. Could this corner of Appalachia lead the charge west in the nation’s clean energy revolution?
Last year, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin cast a spotlight on Wise County during a visit to Norton, where he announced that the area was being considered for a groundbreaking small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) project. Heralded as a cutting-edge energy solution, the proposal sparked excitement and controversy, igniting a fervent local debate.
A vision for nuclear innovation
Five sites across Wise County — and seven in the broader region — were identified as potential SMR study locations. Hosting the nation’s first commercial utility-grade SMR would allow Wise County to become a national leader in next-generation energy technology.
“We are thrilled to have completed this study, which holds great promise for transforming the energy landscape not only in Southwest Virginia but throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Duane Miller, LENOWISCO’s executive director, in a May 2023 news release. “Small Modular Reactors have the potential to provide a source of safe, stable, and sustainable energy, enabling transformational economic growth, improving quality of life, and complementing the region’s existing energy portfolio.”
However, this vision has faced significant resistance from environmental groups, activists and concerned residents. Protests during the governor’s visit to the University of Virginia’s College at Wise underscored a wave of opposition to the project.
Resistance and reactions
Yard signs opposing the SMR initiative have sprouted across the county. They voice fears about safety, environmental risks, and the long-term implications for the community, drawing strong social media protests and public forum appearances from some of the region’s citizens, noted at the time by Cardinal News.
Adding to the complexity, Dominion Energy’s decision to prioritize its existing North Anna Station — an approved nuclear site in central Virginia — has put Wise County’s SMR aspirations on hold. Despite this setback, studies funded by the GO Virginia economic development initiative are laying the groundwork for future opportunities. These efforts could position the region for a resurgence in advanced energy projects within the next decade. (Disclosure: Dominion is one of our donors, but donors have no say on news decisions; see our policy.)
Virginia’s fusion energy breakthrough
Even as Wise County’s SMR ambitions waver, Virginia is making global headlines with its progress in another nuclear frontier: fusion energy, notes CNBC Television. Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) spinout, has partnered with Dominion Energy to build the nation’s first utility-scale tokamak fusion energy facility in Chesterfield County, near Richmond.
Fusion energy, often described as the “holy grail” of energy production, offers a virtually limitless and clean energy source by replicating the sun’s process of combining hydrogen atoms to release energy. Virginia Congressman Donald Beyer has championed the Congressional Fusion Energy Caucus leading to a new federal law.
Unlike fission, fusion produces no long-lived radioactive waste. Billions of dollars of private investment capital have in recent years poured into commercial fusion energy startups around the planet.
While the Chesterfield project has electrified the global scientific community, experts caution that significant technical and economic hurdles remain. Still, the initiative marks a bold step forward and positions Virginia as an international leader in next-generation fusion energy innovation.
Opportunities for Wise County
Energy leaders view the fusion breakthrough as an opportunity to reimagine Wise County’s energy future. If Chesterfield hosts the first fusion facility, why not make Wise County home to the second commercial prototype? The region’s existing assets — such as Dominion Energy’s Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in St. Paul — provide a foundation for integrating fusion technology into the Appalachian energy grid.
Collaborations with Appalachian Power, Kentucky Utilities, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory could establish Wise County as a hub for fusion energy innovation. Such initiatives would drive economic growth and enhance regional pride and unity on the multibillion-dollar energy road ahead.
A balancing act
However, Wise County’s path forward is far from straightforward. While fusion and SMR technologies offer the allure of clean, sustainable energy, critics argue that immediate investments in renewable energy sources — such as solar and wind — might yield quicker benefits. Dominion Energy’s offshore wind projects in Virginia Beach highlight the viability of these alternatives.
Yet, nuclear and renewable energy need not be mutually exclusive. Fusion and SMR technologies can complement solar and wind by providing reliable baseload power and addressing energy demand during peak usage. With fusion power projected to scale by the early 2030s, Wise County has a window of opportunity to capitalize on this transformative technology.
Virginia’s growing energy demand
The stakes are high. Virginia’s energy demand is expected to surge over the next decade, driven by the rapid growth of data centers — critical infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). This demand will require a diverse and resilient energy portfolio, combining advanced nuclear solutions with renewable sources.
For Wise County, the benefits of hosting a fusion facility are immense. Such a project could boost the local tax base, attract new industries, and elevate the quality of life in one of Virginia’s most economically challenged regions. The Appalachian region could emerge as a national leader in clean energy innovation by partnering with neighboring states in a more comprehensive public-private partnership.
The political landscape
The future of advanced nuclear energy in Virginia hinges on political will. Governor Youngkin has made nuclear energy a cornerstone of his administration’s energy strategy, but the upcoming gubernatorial election will bring new leadership and priorities. Local leaders must continue advocating for Wise County to ensure it remains at the forefront of energy innovation, and looking at all options.
Looking ahead
As the nation confronts the twin challenges of climate change and energy security, Wise County stands at a critical juncture. Whether through SMRs, fusion or another groundbreaking technology, the region has the potential to redefine itself as a hub for clean energy innovation.
For now, the future remains uncertain. But as Wise County’s journey unfolds, one thing is clear: its residents have the resilience and vision to shape a brighter tomorrow. Perhaps the words of Wise County native Napoleon Hill best capture the sentiment: “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” With determination and unity, the region could lead the way into a new era of energy innovation and directly face the next decade of energy transitions with a more significant and comprehensive human processing of options.
Jack Kennedy is a U.S. Space Force Museum docent at Cape Canaveral Station. He is also the retired clerk of the court of Wise County and a former member of the General Assembly. Contact Jack@JackKennedy.net.
