Orano USA and North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support construction of the $5 billion Project IKE uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, marking a significant step forward for U.S. nuclear infrastructure development.
The agreement establishes a cooperative framework between the developer and organized labor to ensure the project is delivered safely, on schedule and in a cost-effective manner. The facility is expected to play a key role in strengthening domestic nuclear fuel supply chains while supporting long-term energy security goals.
Project IKE is designed to deliver new, diversified and competitively priced U.S.-based enriched uranium production, with operations anticipated to begin in the early 2030s. The construction phase alone is expected to employ more than 1,000 workers, highlighting the project’s importance for the construction labor market.
The MOU emphasizes a shared commitment to mobilizing a highly skilled and well-trained workforce while fostering a collaborative labor-management environment focused on safety, quality and productivity.
“To help quickly establish a significant and secure nuclear fuel supply of enriched uranium for America’s reactor fleet, we need the Project IKE facility built on a deliberate timeline that’s only possible with a skilled and efficient workforce,” said Jean-Luc Palayer, CEO of Orano USA. “Our agreement with NABTU defines and assures that our work relationship is based on productivity, quality, and cooperation.”
The partnership reflects a broader trend of large-scale infrastructure projects relying on union labor to meet stringent regulatory and safety requirements, particularly in highly specialized sectors such as nuclear construction.
NABTU President Sean McGarvey underscored the role of union labor in delivering complex energy projects. “When it comes to complex nuclear projects, America turns to the Building Trades because we deliver,” he said. “Our three million members are trained for highly regulated, safety-critical nuclear work, and they stand ready to build the next generation of America’s nuclear energy infrastructure.”
He added, “Project IKE represents the future of U.S. energy security, and this agreement ensures Orano has access to the safest, most highly trained nuclear construction workforce in the world to deliver this project on time and to the highest standards.”
In addition to workforce development, Orano is building an extensive domestic supply chain to support the project. This includes designing and constructing the facility, manufacturing and installing specialized material-handling systems and supporting ongoing uranium enrichment operations once the plant is complete.
The initiative aligns with growing federal and industry efforts to expand U.S.-based nuclear fuel production capacity and reduce reliance on foreign sources. By investing in large-scale enrichment infrastructure, projects like IKE are expected to play a central role in meeting future energy demands while supporting carbon reduction goals.
For the construction sector, the agreement signals continued opportunities in energy infrastructure, particularly as nuclear power gains renewed attention as a reliable and low-carbon energy source.
Originally reported by Orano, USA.
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