OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (AP) 鈥� A France-based company that specializes in nuclear power and renewable energy has selected a site in eastern Tennessee to build a multibillion-dollar centrifuge uranium enrichment facility, Gov. Bill Lee announced.
The project was unveiled Wednesday in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where the 750,000-square-foot center for Orano USA will be built.
鈥淭ennessee is the number one state for nuclear energy companies to invest and thrive, and we are proud to partner with Orano to lead America鈥檚 energy independence and drive continued economic growth and greater opportunity for Tennesseans," Lee said in a statement.
State officials did not release how much Orano USA will invest in the new site, but the project is expected to bring in 300 jobs.
Jean-Luc Palayer, CEO and president of Orano USA, said the next steps would involve securing 鈥渁vailable federal support and customer commitments鈥� and also obtaining a license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
鈥淭oday we celebrate this major milestone towards bringing a new enrichment facility online to help meet our country鈥檚 need for an increased, secure domestic nuclear fuel supply,鈥� Palayer added.
According to , the city of Oak Ridge, Roane County and the state's nuclear fund will each contribute $5 million to help cover the cost of the utility preparations for the site.
The announcement in Tennessee comes after President Joe Biden signed off on legislation in May designed to end the import of enriched uranium from Russia. The new law also released around $2.7 billion to expand the domestic uranium fuel industry.
About 12% of the uranium used to produce electricity at U.S. nuclear power plants is imported from Russia, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
鈥淓nergy independence will be critical to our nation鈥檚 success,鈥� said Senate Speaker Randy McNally, a Republican from Oak Ridge who also serves as lieutenant governor. 鈥淭he development and expansion of clean and efficient nuclear power is the path to that independence.鈥�
The Associated Press
