Orano Achieves Milestone with Environmental Report Submission for Project IKE Uranium Enrichment Facility to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

BETHESDA, Md., February 23, 2026 – Orano recently submitted its Environmental Report (ER) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for Project IKE, a gas centrifuge uranium enrichment facility planned for Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The submission represents a major licensing milestone and reflects more than a year of comprehensive environmental analysis, technical evaluation, and interagency coordination. With the ER submitted, the project advances to the next phase of NRC review and is on track for complete facility license submission to the NRC later this year.

The report provides an in-depth assessment of potential environmental impacts and demonstrates Orano’s commitment to environmental protection, public health and safety, transparency, and regulatory compliance.

“With 50 years of safe commercial uranium enrichment operations, including 15 years with gas centrifuges, we have a clear understanding for evaluating our Project IKE development,” said Jean-Luc Palayer, CEO of Orano USA. “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.”

For four decades, Orano has supplied enriched uranium to the U.S. reactor fleet from its facilities in France. 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.

The project is expected to create more than 1,000 construction jobs during its initial five-year construction phase and 300 permanent, high-skilled positions during operations. Orano is already actively involved in regional workforce development initiatives with educational and economic development organizations.

Named in reference to President “Ike” Eisenhower’s landmark 1953 “Atoms for Peace” address to the United Nations calling for the establishment of a robust nuclear energy industry, the Project IKE development began in September 2024 with the State of Tennessee’s announcement that Orano had selected Oak Ridge as the preferred site for its facility.

Download this press release (PDF).

Learn more about Project IKE: https://www.orano.group/usa/project-ike-enrichment

A group photo of Orano team members and NRC staff following the submission of Orano’s Environmental Report for its Project IKE uranium enrichment facility development in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Concept rendering of Orano’s planned Project IKE facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.