URENCO USA outside of Eunice, New Mexico is the only facility of its kind in North America. Using centrifuge technology, the facility is designed to power the United States' commercial nuclear power plants through creating a sustainable, domestic source of enriched uranium that will substantially reduce US reliance on the global nuclear enrichment marketplace. The 543 acre complex broke ground in August 2006 and construction of the first building commence in 2007. Construction will continue until 2015 when URENCO USA will produce nearly 10 percent of the nation's energy needs using leading edge enrichment technology.
Location: Eunice, New Mexico
Total square footage: 543 acre complex
Total construction cost: $3 Billion
Estimated Construction Completion Date: First phase due spring 2010, additional work to continue until 2016
Owner/Developer: Louisiana Energy Services
New Mexico Unions: UA Local 412, IBEW 611
Project Highlights:
First civilian nuclear facility built in the United States in over 30 years.
Will enrich enough uranium to provide 5 percent of nation’s energy needs by 2015.