From left: GLE’s Stephen Long, Scott Steuer, Jesus Diaz-Quiroz, Nima Ashkeboussi, and Timothy Knowles, with the NRC’s Matt Bartlett, Samantha Lav, Robert Sun, Shana Helton, Andrea Kock, and Kimyata Morgan-Butler. (Photo: GLE)
Global Laser Enrichment announced that it has submitted its safety analysis report to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the planned Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility (PLEF). This follows GLE’s December 2024 submission of the plant’s environmental report, now completing GLE’s full license application for NRC review.
According to the company, the safety analysis report provides a comprehensive evaluation of the PLEF’s safety measures, operational protocols, and risk mitigation strategies, ensuring compliance with the NRC’s regulatory standards for nuclear safety and security.
Using laser enrichment technology licensed from Silex Systems, GLE is seeking a license for the PLEF to reenrich depleted uranium tails from legacy Department of Energy gaseous diffusion plant operations to provide a new source of domestic uranium, conversion, and enrichment production. In 2024, in an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and local authorities, GLE acquired a 665-acre parcel of land adjacent to the DOE’s former Paducah gaseous diffusion plant to build the facility.
GLE said it remains on track to begin reenriching the DOE’s Paducah inventory of depleted uranium tails no later than 2030 and is eager to continue its close collaboration with the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s local and state leaders, as well as its federal partners.
Quotes: “This achievement reflects the significant commitment, dedication, and ingenuity of our remarkably talented team, who worked to prepare and deliver a high-quality application in a very short timeframe, six months ahead of schedule,” said GLE CEO Stephen Long.
GLE licensing and regulatory affairs manager Timothy Knowles added, “We appreciate the extensive preapplication engagement with NRC staff, which helped inform our submission. We remain committed to working closely with the NRC to ensure a thorough, efficient, and expeditious review.”
Given the company’s previous experience in licensing a laser enrichment facility in North Carolina (the project did not proceed beyond licensing), GLE said it anticipates an accelerated licensing timeline for the PLEF.
The company: Based in Wilmington, N.C., GLE is owned by a 51 percent/49 percent venture of Australia-based Silex Systems, which first developed the separation of isotopes by laser excitation (SILEX) enrichment technology, and Canadian nuclear fuel provider Cameco. Under a 2016 agreement, GLE holds the rights to enrich a significant portion of the DOE’s depleted uranium tails.
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