Energy Secretary Chris Wright

DOE News:

• • • • • ‘Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative in South Carolina Set to Lead on AI, Energy, and Manufacturing.’ –DOE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright joined U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC-02), and state and local leaders for the opening of the new Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, creating a new chapter for American innovation in South Carolina.

Launched during the first Trump Administration and led by the Department of Energy’s Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), the new center enables DOE’s mission to support American manufacturing – serving as an economic driver, creating jobs, spurring innovation and maximizing the reach of industry in South Carolina.

“The Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative will bring the expertise of the Department of Energy’s National Labs together with innovators from academia and the private sector with one shared goal: to unleash America’s energy potential,” Energy Secretary Wright said. “This mission was started by President Trump in his first term, and I am proud to be representing the Department of Energy 200 days into his second administration for the grand opening of this facility, completed in record time.”

“The opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative on USC Aiken’s campus will greatly enhance the ability for the Savannah River National Laboratory and private sector, along with academia, to work together on critical initiatives,” Sen. Graham said. “I was proud to secure federal funding for this facility because I believe this partnership will pay dividends for South Carolina and the rest of the nation. The opening of this facility will cement Aiken as a hub for innovation and advanced technology development for years to come. Finally, I would like to thank Secretary Wright and President Trump for recognizing the importance of South Carolina’s contribution to positioning America as a leader in manufacturing and innovation. I will continue to work with them to ensure the Palmetto State remains on the forefront in this effort.”

“The opening of this facility is a success story of how the government, private sector, and institutions of higher education can come together to drive meaningful innovation and opportunities for the community and nation,” Rep. Wilson said. “I am grateful to represent the Savannah River Site and its workforce and will continue to work with President Trump, Energy Secretary Wright, Congress, and local leaders to reinvigorate the nuclear industrial base at the Site and support Peace Through Strength.”

Located on the campus of the University of South Carolina-Aiken, the state-of-the-art 63,000-square-foot facility connects the best of American industry, academia and government to increase capabilities in areas such as additive manufacturing, AI-driven automation, and novel materials for fusion energy and energy resilience.

SRNL will operate the facility, attracting new technology and manufacturing to the region, as well as building a pipeline of talent to support the Savannah River Site’s environmental cleanup mission.

SRNL Director Johney Green

“The Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative is more than a building – it is a bold step toward redefining how SRNL works with the best of American industry and academia to solve our nation’s most pressing energy and security challenges,” SRNL Director Johney Green said. “We are grateful to everyone across the Department, the University of South Carolina-Aiken, our partners and dedicated laboratory staff for making this vision a reality.”

In conjunction with opening the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, Secretary Wright visited the Savannah River National Laboratory. Savannah River National Laboratory is ushering in a nuclear and industrial renaissance, leading us to new frontiers of scientific discovery and global technological dominance. The visit marked his 11th stop in his goal to visit all 17 of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratories this year.