[Associated Press, 7 March] Areva Inc has reportedly narrowed its search for a possible site for its proposed US uranium enrichment plant from some 200 to five locations. The locations under consideration are in Idaho, Ohio, Texas, News Mexico and Washington. In a letter to Washington governor Chris Gregoire, Areva CEO Anne Lauvergeon said that a site decision is expected before the end of March. She said, "Now, as we approach a final decision in the coming weeks, we are focused entirely on the economic evaluation of each site, including land and infrastructure costs, of course, but also tax structures and economic incentives." Areva already operates a nuclear fuel fabrication plant in Richland, Washington. In mid-2007 Areva told the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that it was proposing to construct a new 3 million SWU per year, $2 billion centrifuge plant in the USA to supply domestic enrichment services. The company expects to submit a licence application about mid-2008 with a view to operation in 2014, ramping up to full capacity in 2019. The US plant is to be a smaller version of Areva's new Georges Besse plant in France.
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