[cdn-nucl-l] =?windows-1251?Q?USEC=92s_commissioning_new_enrichment_capacities_will_ca?==?windows-1251?Q?ter_all_nuclear_fuel_demands?=

["Radik Ixanov" <ixanov@sympatico.ca>]

Nuclear.Ru (http://www.nuclear.ru/eng/news) informed at May 15, 2003.


USEC Inc. commissioning of new enrichment capacities by 2010 will supply
nuclear fuel to existing reactors and those that might be built by the time,
said to Nuclear.Ru the USEC marketing and sales vice-president Robert Van
Namen who now participates in the mid-session of World Nuclear Association
in Moscow. “I think USEC clearly with its partnership with the Russian Tenex
play a prominent role in the world uranium market place. We are increasing
our competitiveness by putting much effort in the new American centrifuge
technology”, he said.

Commenting on the US nuclear power prospects, Van Namen noted that presently
the US remains focused on light water reactors. “We think that this
technology has been proven well. We believe we need to have new power plants
within next 10 to 15 years basing on light water reactor of new generation,
with fast neutron reactors, perhaps 30 years from now”, he said. However, as
the Yucca Mountain moves forward the very influential government officials
more often refer to the closed nuclear cycle. “Senator Pete Domenici calls
for to revisit the issue of back end of the fuel cycle once again. Still I
think that the near-term needs of the existing reactors make us continuing
to focus on making progress on Yucca Mountain”, Van Namen said.

Answering the question on what new information he received about the Russian
capabilities in nuclear power during the WNA mid-session, the USEC
Vice-President said, “I think, there were two things. Number one is the
long-term view of Russia towards nuclear power, the importance of nuclear
power and the emphasis Russia is making looking at the most advanced
technologies have been very impressive. Number two, the quality of
presentations today the way they have integrated the view of rest of the
world with the needs of Russia was also very impressive”.