by Katherine Berezowskyj

After breaking ground in July, the AREVA Newport News facility continues to develop in Virginia where AREVA and joint-venture partners Northrop Grumman are building a heavy component manufacturing facility. In the latest construction progress a new contract was announced today with CH2M Hill who will provide engineering, procurement and construction management services for AREVA Newport News.

This $360 million facility will manufacture heavy components, including reactor vessels, pressurizers, and steam generators, which are all critical pieces for new US EPR™ reactors. With an expected completion date of January 2012, the 330,000 square-foot facility will create more than 500 permanent jobs for Virginia.

What this means for the revival of nuclear energy in the United States was pointed out by AREVA NP Inc. President and CEO Mike Rencheck who said that “the construction of the AREVA Newport News manufacturing facility is evidence of the U.S. nuclear resurgence and AREVA’s leading role in increasing the generation of safe, clean, affordable electricity for America.”

Check out the AREVA US website for more information on AREVA Newport News.