Company developing Paducah laser uranium enrichment facility hits key regulatory milestone
A company aiming to open the world’s first commercial laser uranium enrichment plant in western Kentucky took a key step over the weekend.
Global Laser Enrichment has submitted its Safety Analysis Report to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, completing its full license application for the planned Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility.
The step, detailed in a GLE release, marks a milestone for the more than $1 billion project, which has been in the works for over a decade. The SAR evaluates the facility’s proposed security and safety measures, operational protocols and risk mitigation strategies, mapping out how it complies with the NRC’s regulatory standards. The company filed its Environmental Report with the NRC in December.
GLE CEO Stephen Long emphasized the potential of the proposed facility to help answer the Trump administration’s call for more nuclear fuel to speed energy developments across the U.S.
"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,” he said in the release. “GLE’s unique capabilities position the PLEF as a potential single-site solution for U.S.-based uranium, conversion, and enrichment production."
