Buckeye Reporter

Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio, said that Centrus Energy's uranium enrichment work in Piketon enhances U.S. national security and promotes energy independence. The statement was made on X.

"I recently joined Lt. Gov. JimTressel, Bernie Moreno, and Sen. Jon Husted to make US Energy Secretary Wright aware of Centrus Energy," said DeWine. "Centrus Energy, a great American Company located in Southeast Ohio. Providing a reliable supply of enriched uranium to its customers throughout the United States. Centrus Energy's work in Piketon, Ohio improves U.S. national security and advances American energy dominance."

In response to growing concerns over energy security and reliance on foreign uranium, the U.S. government is strengthening domestic enrichment capabilities. According to recent developments, a key step is a Department of Energy contract awarded to Centrus Energy to expand production of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), a vital fuel for next-generation nuclear reactors. This move supports the broader strategy to reduce dependence on Russian uranium, especially after the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act passed in August 2024. Paired with a $2.7 billion investment under the Nuclear Fuel Security Act, the effort underscores a commitment to revitalizing the U.S. nuclear fuel cycle.

As of late 2023, the United States' uranium enrichment capacity is notably limited. The only operating commercial uranium enrichment facility is the Urenco USA plant in Eunice, New Mexico. However, Centrus Energy's American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio, has commenced operations, marking the first U.S.-owned, U.S.-technology enrichment plant to start production since 1954. Under a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy, Centrus is pioneering the production of HALEU at this facility. The plant's capacity is expected to expand significantly, with plans to install thousands of centrifuges to meet the growing demand for enriched uranium in the U.S.

The national security implications of domestic uranium enrichment are profound. A reliable and robust nuclear fuel supply chain is vital for the United States' defense, geopolitical stability, and nonproliferation objectives. Historically, the U.S. has depended on foreign sources for enriched uranium, which poses risks to national security and energy independence. By investing in domestic enrichment capabilities, the U.S. aims to ensure a secure supply of nuclear fuel for both civilian energy needs and defense applications, thereby strengthening its strategic autonomy.

DeWine has had a longstanding political career including roles as Greene County Prosecutor, Ohio State Senator, U.S. Congressman, Ohio Lt. Governor, U.S. Senator, and Ohio Attorney General before being elected Governor in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. He has prioritized addressing the state's opioid crisis and focusing on health care issues such as welfare and education for Ohio's children. While specific positions on energy policy are not detailed in available sources, his administration's actions—such as signing legislation designating nuclear power as "green energy"—indicate support for nuclear energy initiatives in Ohio.