U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, also known as Jefferson Lab, in Virginia alongside Governor Glenn Youngkin and business leaders. The visit focused on the effects of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) and the Department of Energy’s ongoing efforts to enhance artificial intelligence capabilities.
During the event, Secretary Wright participated in a roundtable with Governor Youngkin and members of the business community to discuss how investments from OBBB are expected to boost innovation at DOE’s national laboratories. The bill aims to support next-generation AI and build upon scientific advancements across these facilities.
Secretary Wright toured several parts of Jefferson Lab, including the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF), which is recognized for its role in exploring the quark structure of atomic nuclei. He was also introduced to the new MOLLER experiment, described as a scientific initiative with national importance.
“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 Glenn Youngkin commented on Virginia’s involvement with Jefferson Lab: “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,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. “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.”
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility Director Jens Dilling highlighted collaboration with both federal and state 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,” said Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility Director Jens Dilling. “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 was part of Secretary Wright’s broader initiative to visit all 17 Department of Energy national laboratories this year. The tour reflects continued federal interest in supporting U.S. leadership within nuclear science fields and AI development through legislative measures such as OBBB.
