WKSU News: The Department of Energy to fund $350 million research project in Ohio

Wednesday, June 13, 2012 The Department of Energy to fund $350 million research project in Ohio The aim of the project is to become a permanent uranium enrichment operation Story by STEVE BROWN

The federal government is partnering with a uranium enrichment company on a 350 million dollar research project in southern Ohio.

The Department of Energy announced funding for the project today (Wednesday). It’s partnering with Maryland- based USEC (YOU-seck) Incorporated on the R & D project in Piketon. USEC spokesman Jeremy Derryberry says the hope is to turn the research effort into a permanent enrichment operation.

Derryberry on the research project

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“The plant, the structures, the building is already in place in Piketon, Ohio. The announcement today is funding for going forward with the research development and demonstration program at the plant site.”

Uranium has to be enriched before it can be used in nuclear energy, and Derryberry says USEC hopes to improve on its enrichment process.

The project has bipartisan support with hopes of creating up to 4,000 jobs.