Proposals Sought for DU Processing Plants in Washington DC
November 1, 2000 -

The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking proposals for the design, construction and operation of new facilities at uranium enrichment plant sites in Ohio and Kentucky. Once built, these facilities will convert the federal government’s inventory of depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6) to a more stable form and prepare the material for disposal or potential reuse. “We are committed to dealing effectively with our depleted uranium inventory and continuing the environmental restoration of these sites,” said Energy Secretary Bill Richardson. “The issuance of this Request for Proposals puts us one step closer to addressing the government’s inventory of depleted uranium hexafluoride at the gaseous diffusion plant sites.

The DOE estimates that it will take up to 25 years of plant operations to convert all its depleted uranium. Proposals must be submitted by February 1, 2001, and the contract is expected to be awarded during the summer of 2001. The Request for Proposals is available at: http://www.oro.doe.gov/duf6disposition/.