ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., May 31, 2006 /PRNewswire

 

Today the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) issued a summary of a partial initial decision regarding three of the contentions filed by Nuclear Information and Resource Service and Public Citizen (NIRS/PC) challenging the licensing and operation of the National Enrichment Facility (NEF) to be located outside Eunice, New Mexico. The complete decision will be released following review for proprietary information.

The ruling rejected all challenges related to the plausibility of the private sector deconversion strategy and the disposal of the depleted uranium hexafluoride as a low-level radioactive waste.

"We are pleased with the ASLB's ruling today," said Louisiana Energy Services (LES) President, Jim Ferland. "Today's ruling confirms that our preferred option, sending the depleted uranium to a private deconversion facility and disposing of the end-product at a licensed near-surface disposal facility is a plausible and acceptable strategy."

The Board also ruled that in regard to establishing a financial assurance funding level for byproduct disposition, that some portions of the private deconversion and disposal cost estimates did not have an adequate basis. As a result, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is likely to require LES to utilize a back-up option (Department of Energy disposal) to establish the proper funding level.

"The method utilized to calculate the decommissioning funding level is relevant, but whether based on private or public sector estimates, the Settlement Agreement with the State of New Mexico overrides the calculated figure and requires that LES financially assure $7.15/kgU generated," Ferland stated. "This is another example of the Settlement Agreement negotiated by the State working to protect the public interest."

LES overall schedule remains on track with a license expected in late June and construction starting in the fall.

The NEF project will provide more than 210 permanent jobs and more than 1000 multi-year construction jobs in Southeast New Mexico. It will use a proven technology that has operated safely in Europe for 30 years.

When the license application is approved, the NEF will introduce the world's most advanced uranium enrichment technology into the U.S. and provide an alternative domestic enrichment supply source to U.S. nuclear energy companies.

LES is a partnership of major nuclear energy companies. Partners include Urenco and U.S. energy companies Duke Power, Entergy and Exelon.

SOURCE Louisiana Energy Services; National Enrichment Facility

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