Consumer group applauds uranium enrichment program in Ohio

The Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) has voiced its support for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) intent to pursue a uranium enrichment demonstration program in Piketon, Ohio.

The DOE will invest $115 million over the next three years to produce a cascade of 16 centrifuges at the former American Centrifuge Project in Piketon to demonstrate the production of high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU). HALEU is the fuel source for advanced nuclear reactors. Additionally, a domestic source of enriched uranium is needed for national security purposes.

“We applaud the Department of Energy (DOE) as they pursue this program. It is great news for the people of Piketon. This award will be a shot in the arm not only at the former American Centrifuge Project site but for the region as a whole that helps us retain our nation’s edge in the development of advanced nuclear technology.”

The DOE is pursuing a three-year, $115 million program to demonstrate high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) production capability as early as 2020. The award will fund the first-ever demonstration project in the U.S. to produce HALEU which is needed to power the next generation of advanced nuclear reactors, as well as for the development of more advanced fuels for the existing light water reactor fleet,” CEA’s Midwest Executive Director Chris Ventura said.

CEA is a leading national consumer advocate on energy issues with more than 550,000 members across the country.

The program is expected to create 60 new jobs initially, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OHO) said. Portman has spearheaded efforts to decontaminate and decommission the former gaseous diffusion plant at the Piketon site. He helped secure a $30 million increase in appropriations in the final FY 2018 appropriations bill for the project.

“Getting Piketon back to its full potential benefits the skilled workforce here, the surrounding local economy, and strengthens national energy and defense security,” Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) said. “I want to thank the Department of Energy and the Trump administration for reconsidering the Obama administration’s decision to end the domestic uranium enrichment demonstration program. I will continue to work with my colleagues and the administration to ensure this site gets cleaned up and ready for redevelopment.”