US state regulators, Type One Energy, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have submitted a “byproduct material licence” application in preparation for Tennessee’s first commercial fusion project. Type One Energy and TVA worked closely with the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) to prepare the first-of-a-kind application, demonstrating compliance with key licensing requirements for fusion energy technology as part of a more comprehensive application process.
“Today is an important milestone for Type One Energy, TVA and the State of Tennessee,” said Type One CEO Christofer Mowry. “We’ve been working closely together since February 2024, sharing relevant design information and knowledge that is essential to establish the appropriate licensing conditions for a fusion power plant. This collaboration makes Tennessee an international model of ‘safety by design’ and transparency for licensing fusion machines.”
In July 2025, TVA and Type One Energy signed the first set of commercial contracts related to Project Infinity, which is developing fusion power plant technology to supply the Tennessee Valley with energy by the mid-2030s. TVA, through its Power Service Shops (PSS) facility in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and with support from other locations, is helping to develop tailored welding and fabrication techniques for Project Infinity. These manufacturing and construction methods will be used for the Type One Energy Infinity One stellarator fusion machine currently being deployed at TVA’s Bull Run Fossil Plant near Knoxville.
They are also intended for the potential subsequent TVA fusion power plant project, which utilises Type One Energy’s Infinity Two stellarator technology. In June, Type One completed the first formal design review of Infinity Two, a 350 MWe power plant using stellarator fusion power technology.
“The announcement today supercharges Tennessee’s reputation as the global hub for nuclear innovation,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “This application lays the groundwork for subsequent submissions and is a byproduct of the collaboration between fusion energy companies like Type One Energy and TDEC in establishing a first-of-its-kind state regulatory framework for fusion energy in Tennessee.”
“TVA is proud to play a leading role in supporting the advancement of fusion energy – a technology that represents the next frontier in low-cost, reliable power,” said Don Moul, TVA President and CEO. “Our collaboration with Type One Energy and the State of Tennessee highlights how innovation and partnership can strengthen America’s energy security and advance the nation’s commitment to energy leadership. Through initiatives like Project Infinity, TVA is helping ensure that the Tennessee Valley remains at the forefront of delivering prosperity for American families.”
The byproduct material licence application is a ‘safety by design’ protocol for fusion facility licensing with significant performance margins to ensure safety is optimised throughout the design process. In this context, Infinity Two is designed for regulatory approval and deployment around the globe.
