Portsmouth, Ohio

Portsmouth is a city located in Scioto County, Ohio, at the confluence of the Ohio and Scioto Rivers. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 20,909. It is the county seat of Scioto County{{GR|6}}. From 1930-1933, it was the home of the Portsmouth Spartans, the NFL franchise that became the Detroit Lions in 1934. Shawnee State University is located in Portsmouth.

Industry

In November 2002 the Portsmouth Uranium Enrichment Plant was recognized as an ANS Nuclear Historic Landmark by the American Nuclear Society. It had served a military function from 1952 until the mid-1960s when the mission changed from enriching uranium for nuclear weapons to one focused on producing fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. Portsmouth ended enriching operations in 2001 and began to support operational and administrative functions and perform external contract work.

Related Topics:
Uranium - ANS - Nuclear weapons - Nuclear power plants

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All uranium enrichment in the area was taken over by Portsmouth's sister plant across the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky. Uranium enrichment functions had previously been shared by the two plants. USEC interests in the area remain strong with the American Centrifuge Plant being built in Piketon, Ohio.

Related Topics:
Ohio River - Paducah - USEC - American Centrifuge Plant - Piketon, Ohio

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In January of 2004, USEC announced the selection of Piketon as the expected site for its future American Centrifuge Plant. This commercial uranium enrichment facility is expected to employ up to 500 people and reach an initial annual production level of 3.5 million SWU by 2010.

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