Urenco USA briefs commission on expansion plans, workforce and domestic enrichment role

Representatives of Urenco USA briefed the Lea County Commission on the Eunice enrichment plant’s operations, community investments and plans for modest capacity expansion.

Lisa Hardison, head of communications, and John Kirkpatrick, managing director, said the plant began shipping product in 2010, has invested about $5 billion in the facility and currently produces approximately 4,400,000 separative work units (SWU) annually while the license allows up to 10,000,000 SWU. The company reported about 340 employees and an additional roughly 150 long‑term contractors and described a 15 percent capacity addition in an existing cascade hall that is being brought online in the near term.

Kirkpatrick described two product lines of interest: LEU and LEU‑Plus (slightly higher enrichment to extend reactor fuel cycles) and HALEU (higher‑assay LEU) for small modular reactors, the latter of which would require separate licensing and possibly a distinct facility. He said the U.S. market and policy environment—particularly restrictions on Russian uranium imports—are driving renewed domestic demand.

Urenco representatives emphasized safety, community engagement and workforce development: they described partnerships with CTEC and New Mexico Junior College (NMJC), scholarship and intern programs, and annual community donations and volunteer projects. The company invited commissioners to tour the facility.

Commissioners thanked Urenco for local investments and discussed jobs, wages and potential future licensing activity.