High energy

Good morning, Lookout readers:

Data centers are proliferating across Tennessee, becoming a topic of discussion in city halls and at congressional forums, with around 75 either operational or under construction.

With little guidance or regulation from the state, East Tennessee cities have joined in crafting zoning regulations or issuing moratoriums, following the lead of several Middle Tennessee towns. From Johnson City, contributor Larry Griffin reports.

But data centers, which raise concern about environmental hazards, aren’t the only risky business in Tennessee these days. Adam Friedman reports on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Tuesday announcement the Volunteer State is being considered for a nuclear energy program that includes every step from production to storage of nuclear waste.

This all comes as folks in Pennsylvania express concerns about a pending reactivation of Three Mile Island, the nuclear facility that became notorious after a 1979 partial meltdown upended life in the region.

And of course, we are one week from the Tennessee primary election. Scroll down for the latest coverage and remember if you need information about who’s on the ballot, check out the Tennessee Lookout Voter Guide.

The United States Department of Energy announced Tuesday that Tennessee was one of the five states under consideration for a federal partnership as part of the Trump administration’s attempt to boost nuclear energy production. 

by Cassandra Stephenson

President Donald Trump delivered a short pitch for the reelection of 5th Congressional District Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles during a “tele-rally” Tuesday night as early voting winds down for the midterm election primary.