Orano USA submitted its environmental report for Project IKE, a planned uranium enrichment plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn., with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Monday.
“We are pleased to reach this early review stage with the NRC and to submit a detailed and comprehensive Environmental Report addressing the required analyses, including land use, air quality, water quality and use, public and occupational health, and socioeconomics,” Orano USA CEO Jean-Luc Palayer said in a Monday press release.
With the environmental report filed, Orano USA, the U.S. subsidiary of France-based Orano, said the complete facility license submission should occur later this year.
Project IKE’s development began in September 2024 when the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Site was selected as the preferred site for the multi-billion-dollar project. Orano USA said it plans to bring its expertise and experience from the French nuclear industry to bring enriched uranium capabilities to the United States.
“By bringing proven enrichment capabilities to the U.S., the significant output of enriched uranium from Project IKE would strengthen America’s domestic nuclear fuel supply chain and enhance national energy security,” Orano USA said.
The project is expected to create more than 1,000 construction jobs during its five-year construction phase and 300 permanent jobs during its operations, Orano USA said.
In June 2025, Orano USA opened a Project IKE office at Oak Ridge that will employ 40 people. The company said the 40 employees are an addition to the 300 expected to work at the gas centrifuge uranium enrichment plant.