Three firms open Pennsylvania manufacturing and maintenance facility

AREVA Inc. joined FirstEnergy and Custom Nuclear Fabrication (CNF) in the grand opening of a manufacturing and maintenance facility in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, on June 18.

The facility houses the joint manufacture of nuclear fuel storage canisters between AREVA and CNF in approximately 200,000 square feet of workspace. The facility also houses a FirstEnergy central machine shop.

“I am honored to join CNF and FirstEnergy today in celebrating the opening of this facility, which will expand our manufacturing resources here in the United States and to promote economic growth in the region,” Gary Mignogna, president and CEO of AREVA, said. “The available skilled workforce provides a solid base for AREVA to continue delivering high-quality, U.S.-made dry shielded canisters to our utility customers for the secure storage of used nuclear fuel.”

Representatives of the three companies were joined by state officials, including Gov. Tom Wolfe. The facility will also help in the state's plans to facilitate job growth in industries that are highly technical.

“Gov. Wolf is focused on economic development, and today’s announcement that brings high skill jobs to Washington County is an important step toward our goal of creating jobs in Pennsylvania,” Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin said.