IDAHO FALLS, Idaho, August 1, 2008 - The French company AREVA plans to build a $2 billion uranium enrichment plant in eastern Idaho to serve the nuclear power industry, its first such facility in the United States.
Idaho state officials are jubilant, having courted the company with tax incentives.
Alluding to eastern Idaho's long experience with nuclear power through the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter said in a statement, "It's a great match that will result in secure jobs and a stronger economy."
Michael McMurphy, President of AREVA Inc., agreed. "While we had several attractive sites to choose from, we opted for Idaho Falls, which has strong ties to nuclear energy and which welcomed AREVA and its proposed enrichment facility," McMurphy said.
The Snake River Alliance, a nuclear watchdog and clean energy advocacy group, has opposed the construction of an enrichment plant since it learned about Areva's intentions in January. Although the alliance is based in Idaho, it is not the location that the group objects to.
"It wouldn't matter if Areva had chosen any of the other four sites it was considering for this plant; we would oppose it no matter where Areva planned to build," said Snake River Alliance Executive Director Andrea Shipley. "We oppose expanding uranium enrichment wherever it occurs. It is premised on expanding nuclear power, which is an expensive and dirty power source."
The United States derives 20 percent of its electricity from nuclear power, and prospects for more nuclear energy are rising as governments, industry and the public become increasingly concerned about global climate change.
Although there are other problems with nuclear power, such as waste disposal and the potential for devastating accidents, it emits no heat-trapping greenhouse gases.
Of 104 nuclear reactors in 31 states, none is located in Idaho, although the Nevada-based company Alternate Energy Holdings is pursuing a plan to build 1,600-megawatt reactor in southwestern Idaho on land currently farmed for hay.
Full Story: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2008/2008-08-01-091.asp