Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis said Piketon is set to once again become a player in the nuclear industry and that’s great news for Scioto County. It’s been more than 20 years since the old gaseous diffusion plants shut down after nearly 50 years of service and now there’s a new plant opening up. In that time, the US has switched from being an exporter of the enriched uranium required to operate nuclear power plants to an importer.
As the focus has turned from fossil fuel to renewable energy, many people are keen on nuclear energy, despite the dangers that come along when nuclear plants are not properly maintained. The cleanup of radioactive material is still ongoing at the old site but now the new Centrus Energy plant is up and running. It is the only facility in the US licensed to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium. Currently, the only source of that material is Russia.
Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis said, “The plan is to expand that facility in the future to handle domestic production. The demand is growing by the day due to the development of micro-reactors.”
Two micro reactors are planned for Piketon. A micro nuclear reactor is a small-scale nuclear reactor that is designed to generate power on a smaller scale than traditional nuclear power plants. They are typically less than 10 megawatts in capacity and are intended to provide power to small communities or remote locations. Micro nuclear reactors use a variety of different technologies, including fission and fusion reactions, and can be fueled by a range of materials, including uranium, thorium, and hydrogen. They are typically designed to be safe, secure, and easy to operate, with minimal maintenance requirements. While micro nuclear reactors offer many potential benefits, including reduced carbon emissions and increased energy security, there are also concerns about the safety and security implications of using nuclear technology on a smaller scale.
Davis said companies both in and outside the US were interested in the material. “While we have not been a net exporter of enriched uranium for many years, we will once again get to that place. The facility is incredible. They should be very proud of what they accomplished. Of course, these are workers from right here in Scioto County and Southern Ohio.”
Davis said over 1,000 Scioto County residents were currently employed at the new facility. “There’s a lot going on up there. They are talking about making Piketon the nuclear hub of Ohio. It will be where all the advanced energy projects happen. There’s a hydrogen plant being planned there as well. It’s very exciting to see that.”
Davis said he expected many more jobs will be created. “Good trades jobs. Good union jobs.”
