– Edited By Tom Lamar –
AREVA's Eagle Rock Enrichment Facility under development near Idaho Falls, Idaho, would be safe to operate, according to a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission report issued on Friday. AREVA submitted an application to the NRC to build the facility and, pending license approval, is anticipating the start of construction next summer at the site.
"We are encouraged by the NRC's timely completion of this important step in the license review, which moves us closer to obtaining a license and beginning construction of the facility," said Sam Shakir, president of AREVA Enrichment Ser-vices. "In the meantime, we continue to work diligently on the detailed design and engineering work to meet our planning timetable."
The NRC safety review has determined that AREVA's proposed equipment, facilities and procedures would protect public health and safety. The agency plans to issue a final environmental impact statement in February 2011.