Wenstrup: DOE abandons our nuclear capabilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Despite repeated efforts to fund the American Centrifuge Project, the Department of Energy has decided to go against Congress and not spend the funds allocated for the program. Congressman Brad Wenstrup, who represents the current site and workforce, called the move a long term national security concern.

“The Department of Energy is opting to abandon our nuclear capabilities with this decision to end the American Centrifuge Project,” Wenstrup said. “We cannot seriously sustain our nuclear capabilities without access to domestically owned enrichment capabilities. In the face of 21st Century threats, our nuclear powered Navy demands we retain the ability to fully fuel operations.”

Wenstrup also highlighted the loss to the region of a highly skilled work force. “This move abandons critical human capital in Southern Ohio. We cannot just put these American workers into cold storage until we need them again – they will understandably look for other work, and their skill and capabilities critical to our enrichment program will be lost.”

“I commend the men and women who have worked on the project to advance our nuclear capabilities, and we will continue to search for ways to keep this capability alive in Southern Ohio.”