24 Mar (NucNet): An environmental report for a proposed laser uranium enrichment plant in the US state of North Carolina has been accepted for formal technical review by nuclear regulators.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) said yesterday that its staff would review the environmental report submitted by General Electric-Hitachi Global Laser Enrichment LLC (GLE), as part of an application for a licence to build and operate the facility near Wilmington.
GLE submitted the environmental report on 30 January 2009. The report is one part of an application for a 40-year licence to build and operate the facility, which would enrich uranium up to an assay level of 8 percent U-235, the isotope crucial for nuclear fission. The enriched uranium would be used in the production of fuel for commercial nuclear power reactors.
The NRC said GLE has indicated it intends to file the rest of its application by the end of June 2009.
In 2006, the US government approved an agreement between GE Energy’s nuclear business and Australia’s Silex Systems granting GE exclusive rights to develop and commercialise Silex’s advanced laser-based uranium enrichment technology.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Silex And GE Sign Agreement On Third Generation Enrichment Technology (News No. 107, 23 May 2006)
US Government Backs GE Agreement On Silex Technology (World Nuclear Review No. 40, 6 October 2006)
