The URENCO USA uranium enrichment plant in New Mexico yesterday completed Phase II of the facility when it introduced uranium hexafluoride gas into the plant’s last cascade. The facility’s enrichment capacity stands at 3.7 million separative work units with the second phase. “This represents a significant accomplishment for the plant; it demonstrates the teamwork and commitment across the company, our major contractors, and vendors,” Dave Sexton, president and CEO of plant owner and operator LES, LLC. “Of course this would have not been possible without the strong continued support from the community and the dedication of our employees for the last seven years of construction and four years of operation.” Capacity s expected to reach 5.7 million SWU after the completion of the third phase under construction, scheduled for 2022 with the first cascade to come online by the end of this year.  

 

The facility has also cleared the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s review of safety performance of the facility from Jan. 1, 2012, through Dec. 31, 2013. “In its review, the NRC found no areas needing improvement so the agency will continue the normal level of inspection required for a facility of this type,” according to an NRC release this week. NRC Region II Administrator Victor McCree said in a statement: “Although we only do this overall review of the facility’s performance every two years, our inspectors make frequent trips to the facility and have ongoing discussions with the company’s management. Those interactions help ensure safe facility operation that protects employees, people living nearby and the environment.”