Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
General Electric-Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular nuclear reactor cutaway. GE
OAK RIDGE, TENN. – With a new nuclear renaissance upon us, and the advent of small modular reactors, there’s a need for enriched uranium to fuel those reactors. But for years, uranium enrichment capacity withered on the vine with the end of the cold war, all but ceasing the manufacture of new nuclear weapons. And as a result, for years, stockpiles of retired weapons provided the fuel for many nuclear plants around the world, thus reducing the demand and capacity to create fresh, non-weapon related enriched uranium. A large portion of that was from former Soviet weapon stockpiles, now Russian.
But with ever-increasing sanctions on Russia due to its ongoing assault in Ukraine, the West collectively needs to re-invigorate its ability to enrich uranium for use not in weapons, but in reactors.
Orano, the French-based nuclear company with extensive operations in Saskatchewan announced on Sept. 4 that it would be seeking to locate a uranium enrichment operation at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
If that location sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Oak Ridge is the birthplace of nuclear enrichment, and was one of the key sites for the Manhattan project. Also, nearby is the location for one of the first GE-Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular reactors, the same design SaskPower has chosen to build at Estevan. The Tennessee Valley Authority will be following Ontario Power Generation’s lead, as OPG is currently building the first BWRX-300 at Darlington, Ontario. On March, 23, 2023, TVA said in a release, “TVA is preparing a construction permit application for a BWRX-300 at the Clinch River Site near Oak Ridge, Tennessee and exploring additional sites in the TVA service area for potential SMR deployments.”
According to World Nuclear News, the TVA is still working on that project, as of Aug. 23, 2024
Here’s the press release from the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development, released on Sept. 4, verbatim:
Governor Lee, Commissioner McWhorter Announce Orano USA Seeks to Locate Uranium Enrichment Operations in Oak Ridge
Wednesday, September 04, 2024 | 11:00am
- Oak Ridge selected as the preferred site for a new enrichment facility, company’s multi-billion-dollar project represents single largest investment in Tennessee history
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Orano USA officials announced today the company has selected Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as the preferred site to construct a new, multi-billion-dollar, state-of-the-art centrifuge uranium enrichment facility.
The uranium enrichment center will be a multi-structure commercial production site covering approximately 750,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in North America. Facility operations will create more than 300 new direct jobs in Roane County.
With U.S. headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, and global headquarters in Paris, France, Orano is a leading technology and services provider for the commercial and federal nuclear industries. The company specializes in uranium mining/conversion/enrichment, used nuclear fuel management and recycling, decommissioning shutdown nuclear energy facilities, federal site clean-up and closure and developing nuclear medicines to fight cancer.
Orano will be the second company to locate in Tennessee utilizing the Nuclear Energy Fund, which assists nuclear energy-related businesses choosing to relocate or grow in the Volunteer State and supports the state’s universities and research institutions in further developing their nuclear education programs.
The $50 million fund was in Gov. Lee’s recommended 2023-2024 budget and approved by the Tennessee General Assembly. An additional $10 million was allocated and approved in the state’s budget during the 2024 legislative session.
The project announced today was vetted and recommended by the Education and Workforce subgroup, part of the 22-member Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council.
QUOTES
“Our administration created the Nuclear Energy Fund in partnership with the Tennessee General Assembly to support and expand the state’s nuclear ecosystem, and in the last six months, we’ve announced four projects that will further strengthen Tennessee’s position as a leader in safe, clean and reliable energy for the future. Tennessee is the number one state for nuclear energy companies to invest and thrive, and we are proud to partner with Orano to lead America’s energy independence and drive continued economic growth and greater opportunity for Tennesseans.” – Gov. Bill Lee
“Today we are announcing a significant milestone for the future of reliable and clean energy in our state thanks to Orano’s selection of Oak Ridge as the preferred site to locate one of North America’s largest uranium enrichment centers. With assets like Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the city’s rich history in the nuclear industry, Oak Ridge is primed to support Orano’s efforts, and we look forward to the future opportunities this partnership will create for both Orano and Tennessee. A special thank you to Congressman Chuck Fleischmann for his leadership and support of this project throughout this recruitment process.” – TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter
“We are very pleased to make this announcement with the great state of Tennessee. The warm welcome, responsive engagement and established nuclear energy community in Oak Ridge, as well as access to continuous and stable power, have been key factors for this site selection. We’re already preparing for our next required steps, including securing available Federal support and customer commitments, obtaining an NRC license and Orano’s Board approval, but today we celebrate this major milestone towards bringing a new enrichment facility online to help meet our country’s need for an increased, secure domestic nuclear fuel supply.” – Jean-Luc Palayer, CEO and President, Orano USA
“We are thrilled to welcome Orano to Roane County, the nation’s most nuclear-friendly community. Orano’s decision to locate in Oak Ridge represents a historic milestone: the first instance in global history where a community has transitioned from uranium enrichment during the Manhattan Project, through environmental cleanup and reindustrialization, back to enrichment. Roane County, together with our regional partners, stand ready to support Orano’s enrichment endeavors, and we celebrate this remarkable achievement with them today.” – Roane County Executive Wade Creswell
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“Since the days of the Manhattan Project, Oak Ridge has played a vital role in advancing nuclear innovation and supporting the nuclear industry in the U.S. and the world. As we welcome Orano to Oak Ridge, we understand our new role in contributing toward a carbon-free, energy future. This goal cannot be accomplished without uranium enrichment, and Orano has proven itself to be a world leader in the industry. Orano will help us build out the supply chain for additional industries while creating good paying jobs for Oak Ridgers.” – Oak Ridge Mayor Warren L. Gooch
“TVA believes nuclear energy must be a part of our regional and national drive toward a clean energy future – and the state of Tennessee is leading the way. East Tennessee’s status as a nuclear technologies incubator is made possible through partnerships between TVA, the Department of Energy, state and local economic development agencies, elected officials and innovative companies like Orano. Working together, we will advance nuclear technologies that are crucial to supporting not only energy security, but also national security.” – TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash
“This announcement puts Tennessee firmly on the cutting edge of the future of nuclear power. Energy independence will be critical to our nation’s success. The development and expansion of clean and efficient nuclear power is the path to that independence. This unprecedented project will provide much needed jobs for Tennesseans and place us at the forefront of a critical industry sector. I am grateful to Governor Lee, Commissioner McWhorter and all my colleagues in the General Assembly for making this possible.” – Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge)
“There is no better place to advance nuclear energy than Tennessee. With Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TVA and numerous nuclear power plants supplying energy across the Southeast, our state is at the forefront of nuclear innovation. We are excited to further that innovation and soon be home to a major nuclear fuel enrichment facility. This significant project coupled with Tennessee’s experts, workforce, and visionaries will play an instrumental role in moving our nation towards energy independence. I appreciate Governor Lee and Commissioner McWhorter and the General Assembly for their support of nuclear energy, and I look forward to continuing to serve on the Nuclear Energy Advisory Council as we all work together to advance Tennessee’s ability to lead the nation in nuclear energy.” – Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston)
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“I am pleased to welcome Orano to East Tennessee. Our community has been a center of the nuclear industry for nearly a century, creating the Oak Ridge advantage. Orano’s multi-billion-dollar project, along with 300 new top-tier jobs, will help keep Oak Ridge competitive in the years to come. East Tennessee is poised to lead our nation’s nuclear renaissance as we work to achieve energy independence.” – Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston)
“Oak Ridge is home to some of the brightest scientists in the world, and it is only fitting that our community is the future home to one of the only nuclear fuel enrichment facilities in the U.S. Our city and state have become a household name in the nuclear energy industry, and I look forward to seeing continued success for many years to come. We are grateful for this significant project in our city.” – Rep. John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge)
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