Uranium Enrichment Plant Proposed for Idaho

Idaho Falls, Idaho -- Multinational company Areva has just announced plans to build it's first U.S. uranium enrichment plant right here in Idaho.

It would be the largest energy facility ever built in the state and would help create a clean energy corridor for the West.

"Idaho will be the future. It will lead us as it relates to clean energy technology," said Sen. Larry Craig, (R-Idaho).

France-based Areva hopes to start construction on the project in 2011. The work would take years to complete and would employ up to a thousand people during the construction phase.

Once it's finished it would provide hundreds of high-paying jobs.

It will take about 250 highly-skilled workers to run the plant. We expect to do a lot of hiring from in state and from the local community," said Sam Shakir, Areva's general manager.

Areva representatives say the project would be a clean safe technology, that is already widely used in Europe.

It's not a very dangerous process. It's a chemical and centrifuge facility," said an Areva spokesperson.

The plant would feature tight security to guard against terrorism and legislators say it would present no danger to Idaho's aquifer.

"Well, first of all there will be no waste stored in the ground nor will there be in this facility a concern about spillage," said Craig.

But Idaho's self proclaimed nuclear watchdog, the Snake River Alliance, isn't so sure.

They're concerned about one of the byproducts created during the uranium enrichment process.

About 90 percent of the uranium enrichment process is depleted uranium enrichment hexa fluoride, which is volatile when it's exposed to the elements," said Andrea Shipley, with the Snake River Alliance.

The alliance says if the depleted uranium hexa fluoride is exposed to moisture it releases a highly corrosive gas that can damage kidneys and lungs and even prove fatal.

They plan to fight Areva's proposal through a public campaign about the plans possible pitfalls.

Areva still has to secure federal, state and local approval for the plant and get an OK from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission before the project can begin.

The fuel created by the facility would be used only in the United States and would help increase U.S. energy independence.

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