"Piketon Uranium Enrichment Project Halted By Department of Energy"

"WASHINGTON — The Department of Energy is recommending pulling the plug on the Piketon uranium enrichment project.

Lawmakers Friday received word that the Energy Department has decided to end a contract to test and demonstrate new uranium centrifuge technology that Ohio lawmakers had hoped would be a boon for southern Ohio’s economy. The Energy Department decision would essentially stop the centrifuges from spinning while preserving them for possible future use.

The news came one day after Centrus, the company that operates the plant, announced that it was issuing notices to 235 workers at the plant warning them that they might be out of a job in 60 days.

It’s also another tough blow for southern Ohio. In August, 1,400 Fluor-BWXT employees doing cleanup at the nearby former Department of Energy site received layoff notices as well. A spokesman for the company later said that more than 500 may ultimately be laid off. "

Jessica Wehrman reports for the Columbus Dispatch September 12, 2015.