U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, known as Jefferson Lab, in Virginia to discuss recent federal investments in nuclear science and artificial intelligence. Governor Glenn Youngkin and business leaders joined Secretary Wright for a roundtable focused on the impacts of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which is designed to boost AI capabilities and support scientific innovation at Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories.
During his visit, Secretary Wright toured the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF), an advanced particle accelerator used for exploring the quark structure of atomic nuclei. He also introduced the new MOLLER experiment, which is described as a scientific initiative of national significance.
Secretary Wright emphasized the importance of continued investment in scientific research and workforce development at facilities like Jefferson Lab. “Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is driving world-class science, training the next generation of STEM leaders, and advancing technologies that will strengthen America’s energy future,” said Secretary Wright. “Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, we’re investing in the breakthroughs happening here and across our National Labs to unleash American energy dominance, lead the world in AI innovation and ensure the U.S. stays ahead of strategic competitors.”
Governor Youngkin highlighted Virginia’s role in supporting DOE initiatives: “Jefferson Lab, one of the Department of Energy’s 17 National Laboratories, is a world leader in nuclear research and nuclear science, as well as the largest production facility for intelligence,” he said. “The critical work that we’ve done here in Virginia to support facilities like JLab put us in a strong position to be the federal government’s number-one partner in unleashing all-American, all-of-the-above energy. It was an honor to join Secretary Wright for today’s events as we heard about the enthusiasm from the private sector and the new investments being made under the One Big Beautiful Bill. Virginia is ready to lead the next chapter of America’s nuclear energy renaissance.”
Jens Dilling, Director of Jefferson Lab, spoke about collaboration between state and federal partners: “Jefferson Lab is proud to be a DOE national laboratory and very fortunate to have a strong partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, proving that Virginia is indeed for science lovers,” he said. “We are pleased that Secretary Wright and Governor Youngkin had an opportunity to visit the nation’s premier nuclear physics laboratory, and learn firsthand how we are harnessing AI, advancing nuclear science and training the workforce that will meet our nation’s challenges and power the nation’s next generation of innovation.”
This event marked Secretary Wright’s 14th visit out of his planned tour across all 17 DOE National Laboratories this year.
