Centrus details plans to add at least 300 new jobs in Piketon with multi-billion-dollar investment
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined Centrus Energy CEO Amir Vexler, U.S. Senator Jon Husted, U.S. Congressman Dave Taylor, JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) and Pike County Economic Development Thursday morning to announce plans for a major expansion of Centrus’ uranium enrichment plant in Piketon.
The expansion is expected to create 1,000 construction jobs and approximately 300 new operations jobs at the Piketon site, while retaining 127 existing jobs, boosting Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) production.
The announcement was made Thursday at the Ross County Employment Expo in Chillicothe, where Centrus is meeting with potential job candidates.
“Centrus’ commitment to expand and upgrade its Piketon facility underscores Ohio’s importance in supporting our nation’s economic and national security,” said Governor DeWine. “Uranium enrichment operations in Piketon have played a critical role in U.S. national defense since the earliest days of the Cold War, and Centrus’ facility provides the only technology available today capable of building out domestic enrichment at an industrial scale.”
JobsOhio and OhioSE will be long-term partners to Centrus as the company ramps up recruiting and hiring to fill the 300 operations jobs this project is expected to create. The size and scope of the expansion depend on federal funding decisions from the U.S. Department of Energy for LEU and HALEU. A large-scale expansion would represent a multi-billion-dollar private and public investment into Ohio.
“The time has come to restore America’s ability to enrich uranium at scale,” said Centrus CEO Amir Vexler. “We are planning a historic, multi-billion-dollar investment right here in Ohio – supported by a nationwide supply chain to do just that. When it comes to powering our energy future, it’s time to stop relying on foreign, state-owned corporations and start investing in American technology, built by American workers.”
The project is also expected to support hundreds of jobs at Centrus’ centrifuge manufacturing plant in Tennessee and throughout its manufacturing supply chain – which is entirely domestic – along with thousands of indirect jobs in Ohio, Tennessee and across the country.
In anticipation of the expansion, Centrus raised more than $1.2 billion in a pair of convertible note transactions over the last 12 months and has secured more than $2 billion in contingent purchase commitments from utility customers in the United States and around the world. Centrus has also announced its collaboration with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and POSCO International to potentially invest in the project.
Centrus recently submitted proposals to the U.S. Department of Energy as part of a competitive selection process for potential awards to expand domestic production of LEU for existing reactors and HALEU for advanced reactors. Subject to being selected for funding by the U.S. Department of Energy, Centrus’ expansion plans call for a multi-billion-dollar public and private investment to add thousands of additional centrifuges at its American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio, delivering large-scale production of both LEU and HALEU.
“Today’s announcement is critical, not just for the people of Southeast Ohio, but for our nation. Expanding our ability to enrich uranium here in Ohio will continue America’s legacy as the global leader in nuclear development,” said U.S. Senator Jon Husted. “This facility will be a key resource in maintaining America’s nuclear fleet and bringing power to millions of homes and businesses through modern modular reactors, and it begins with the hardworking and talented people here in Ohio.”
Almost 100 percent of the world’s enrichment capacity belongs to foreign, state-owned enterprises; those companies use centrifuge technologies exclusively manufactured overseas. Centrus is the only active enricher that uses American technology and manufactures centrifuges and supporting equipment exclusively in the United States. If Centrus is selected for federal funding, that funding will be spent in the United States, not on overseas manufacturing.
“In step with President Trump, Centrus is restoring American energy dominance, bringing back energy independence, and creating good American jobs to put our talented workforce to work,” said U.S. Rep. Dave Taylor. “No longer shall our Nation lose jobs and risk energy security through reliance on foreign countries. I am confident that the critical work being done right here at Centrus’s Piketon plant will keep Ohio a leader in nuclear energy and usher America into a new Golden Age of energy production.”
The company will manufacture its centrifuges in Oak Ridge, Tenn., with the support of a nationwide manufacturing supply chain that currently spans 14 major suppliers in 13 states. The centrifuges and supporting equipment will then be sent to Piketon for final assembly, installation, and operation.
“America is becoming more reliant on nuclear energy, and Centrus is the only American-owned uranium enrichment facility that fuels nuclear power,” said Lt. Governor Jim Tressel. “This is great news for America and will create jobs and opportunity in Pike County.”
The JobsOhio Talent Acquisition Services team is working in partnership with Centrus to support the company’s overall talent strategy. Tactics could include talent attraction campaigns and pipeline development efforts through marketing, recruitment, and training initiatives for operators and technicians. There are no state of Ohio or JobsOhio grants, loans, or tax credits planned at this time.
“Centrus’ Piketon uranium enrichment facility is one of a kind in the United States, and it has a critical role to play in reclaiming America’s global nuclear leadership and in meeting our enduring national security requirements,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “As the technology to provide this essential service and production advances, JobsOhio and OhioSE look forward to partnering with Centrus to ensure its proven workforce continues to thrive and grow.”
Centrus has already begun hiring in anticipation of the expansion and is partnering with JobsOhio to identify and recruit potential job applicants.
“The investment and job creation that Centrus has announced will provide amazing opportunities in the southern portion of the OhioSE region,” said Matt Abbott, OhioSE President and CEO. “We are pleased to be a part of this monumental project.”