Orano USA, a Maryland-based subsidiary of the global nuclear fuel company Orano, has announced plans to invest billions in constructing a uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The project, marking the largest single investment in Tennessee’s history, will solidify the region’s role in the global nuclear power landscape. The investment surpasses previous records, even exceeding the $5.6 billion Ford Blue Oval campus project.
The new facility, located on a 920-acre parcel donated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), will focus on enriching uranium for commercial power production, not weapons. The state and local governments have supported the initiative, approving tax incentives, including a 50% tax increment financing deal over 40 years. This will facilitate the company’s ownership of the land during the lengthy regulatory process.
Orano USA’s parent company, France-based Orano, is a global leader in the nuclear fuel supply chain. The company’s decision to build the Oak Ridge facility is part of a broader strategy to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign sources of enriched uranium, particularly from Russia. The enrichment facility is expected to begin production in the early 2030s and create 305 direct jobs.
At the project’s announcement, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and other officials praised the region’s historical role in nuclear energy, noting that Oak Ridge has been pivotal in the development of nuclear technology since the Manhattan Project.
State and federal officials emphasized the importance of strengthening the U.S. nuclear supply chain, particularly as the global race for next-generation nuclear power accelerates. U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann highlighted the $2.8 billion in federal funding available for domestic uranium production, signaling strong support for projects like Orano USA’s.
This landmark investment positions East Tennessee as a critical player in the future of nuclear energy, with Oak Ridge at the forefront of technological advancements.
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