NM uranium facility to trim jobs

EUNICE, N.M. (AP) - Hundreds of construction jobs at Louisiana Energy Services' uranium enrichment facility in southeastern New Mexico will come to an end before the end of the year.

LES Chief Operating Officer Gregory Smith says the company's staffing reduction has long been expected as the $3 billion National Enrichment Facility moves from construction to the operations phase.

LES began its operational readiness review with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Nov. 16. The in-depth process is expected to run through the third week of January.

Smith says depending on the outcome of the review, the facility could begin operating in mid March.

The facility's centrifuges will produce enriched uranium for commercial nuclear power plants.

Information from: Hobbs News-Sun