The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday issued the United States Enrichment Corp., Inc., a construction and operating license for its American Centrifuge program at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon.

The company's plans are to begin a new uranium enrichment process by 2012.

The license is in effect for 30 years.

Enrichment is the process by which the concentration of the fissionable uranium isotope is increased in order to make fuel for nuclear power.

“Americans are beginning to fully appreciate the benefits of nuclear power, which safely and cleanly generates about 20 percent of our electricity with no greenhouse gas emissions,” USEC President and CEO John K. Welch said. “Utilities should also be encouraged by the NRC process for reviewing the American Centrifuge plant license as they prepare to move forward with their own licensing efforts for new nuclear reactors.”

USEC leases the plant from the Department of Energy.

The company said the American Centrifuge plant is expected to use 95 percent less electricity than a comparable-sized gaseous diffusion plant.

There have been some concerns over how USEC will finance the program. One of the concerns came from Gov. Ted Strickland.

He said the company may seek a government bailout to continue the American Centrifuge program.

“It wouldn't surprise me to see USEC go to Uncle Sam and say we need taxpayers' help,” Strickland said.