GE-Hitachi may be one of other possible companies vying to operate the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant if current operations at the plant cease. The United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) employs around 1,000 workers and currently leases the 3,500 acre uranium enrichment operation. USEC’s operations are set to end in May.
GE-Hitachi has been in talks with Paducah Economic Development Corporation President Chad Chancellor, but the U.S. Department of Energy could not confirm that the company has submitted a proposal to lease the property. Chancellor says although he is optimistic about keeping the plant open, nothing is final.
“We have not talked specifics about how many jobs and totals investment or anything like that because things are still up in the air. You know USEC has still not announced how long they are going to be here. So I guess you could say our talks have been more at the first base level.”
According to the World Nuclear News GE-Hitachi is looking for a site to build a new laser-based uranium enrichment facility in the United States.
The Department of Energy’s Tim Echelard says his office should release a list this week of companies that have submitted proposals to operate the facility if USEC operations cease.
