Moosey - can you please explain why the issue of plant at Wilmington rather than Paducah is relevant and something you emphasis. As you are aware to me it's unlikely (apart from "sample" production from the commercial test apparatus) due to:
1. It not being mentioned as a possibility by the company
2. Castle Mayne is a GEH owned site and the purpose built accommodation is not available (the current site is too small)
3. Paducah is an area of high unemployment but a skilled local work farce but powerful political support (i.e Mitch McDonnell a senator)
4. The buildings are available currently at Paducah, owned by the DoE and could (as with USEC) could be leased to GLE (i.e minimal new build is required and capex saved).
My big issue (which you may care to comment upon) is that it's irrelevant to the commercial returns in the short/medium term. As I see it the USG want a "quick" solution to the US nuclear fuel issue and is keen to see that addressed by 2028. I really can't see that GLE would want to build to plants surely they will build one commercial plant and then maybe more thereafter. Since they have clearly identified that Paducah is their future (see
HERE) which says:
"
Contemporaneously with the granting of the new Facility Clearance, the NRC will terminate,at GLE’s request, the old License under which GLE would have operated in Wilmington, NorthCarolina (known as the SNM-2019 License). The termination in part reflects GLE’s intentionto base all commercial operations in Paducah, Kentucky, with the Paducah tails enrichmentplant being the first planned commercial plant. A separate NRC license for commercialoperations at Paducah will be applied for at a future date"
As I mentioned early my real question is "why is it important" - all I am keen on is that the 2024 commercial prototype is successful and that they get a plant into production at the earliest opportunity so as to produce revenue. I really cant see that in this context that apart from utilizing the current (limited) space at Wilmington to best effect, that persuading GEH to sell (or lease) land to GLE and for GLE to then commission and erect new buildings is going to help their goal of getting into production by 2028. Surely it's more expedient (and capex effective) to refurbish existing buildings/land owned by the DoE at Paducah. The only down side that I can see it that a new NRC license would be needed (which as MG as said is a "cut n paste job") whilst at Wilmington could be "re-instating" the old license (which I can't see as happening since regulations have changed and also a category II licence is required for anything over 10% 235U and also an extended licence for over 8%)
(20min delay)