18 Aug (NucNet): An application for a proposed laser uranium enrichment plant in the US state of North Carolina has been accepted for formal review by nuclear regulators.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) said yesterday that it would review the application by General Electric-Hitachi Global Laser Enrichment LLC (GLE) for a licence to build and operate a uranium enrichment plant using laser technology in Wilmington.
GLE submitted the application in two stages – an environmental report in January 2009 and a safety report in June. The environmental report was accepted for technical review by the NRC in March 2009 and NRC staff says the application is sufficiently complete for the agency to begin its formal licensing reviews.
The NRC said the review process and adjudicatory hearings will take about 30 months.
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.
The application, not including certain classified and proprietary information, is available on the NRC’s website (www.nrc.gov/materials/fuel-cycle-fac/laser.html).
>>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)
Report For Laser Enrichment Facility Accepted For Review (News in Brief No. 33, 24 March 2009)
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