Ohio poised to be at forefront of nuclear energy renaissance

[Marlin]

Ohio poised to be at forefront of nuclear energy renaissance

https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2026/07/15/portsmouth-oklo-nuclear-reactor-meta-

[Core Content]

Oklo has selected the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant site in Piketon, Ohio, to deploy its small modular reactors. The company plans to utilize existing infrastructure and a local supply chain, including enriched uranium from Centrus, to bring the Aurora Powerhouse reactor online by 2030.

The project faces local opposition from residents citing historical health issues linked to past operations at the site. For the nuclear industry, the development highlights the potential for repurposing legacy Department of Energy land for new technology, while balancing the need for economic revitalization against long-term environmental remediation and public safety concerns.

A historic uranium enrichment site is the new home for a nuclear reactor start-up. Not all the residents are happy.

PIKETON, Ohio — The site of a historic nuclear project in Ohio is primed to become a nuclear hub once again. In the 1950s, the government started work on what was referred to as the Portsmouth Project, building a massive gaseous diffusion plant to enrich uranium for both weapons and power.

Operations at the plant wound down, and it officially closed in 2001. Now, it's home to a company enriching uranium, and nuclear reactor startup company Oklo has chosen the site to deploy its small modular reactors.

Read the full article at spectrumnews1.com:
https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2026/07/15/portsmouth-oklo-nuclear-reactor-meta-

[Mounder]

Sadly, the article doesn't mention using the SMR electric for the new Data Centers. One of their biggest complaints is the data center drain on electric. It becomes a moot point with an SMR online. The site has a feed directly from the Scioto River, so water isn't a problem. The data center "hum" is another rant from the locals.  This should be addressable by limits on dBA on insulation options.
I don't buy any of the "historical" health complaints from the locals (I'll exempt the workers from this comment.) The site historically has never released any water or air contaminants that are legitimate concerns to a toxicologist. It's purely litigious locals always looking for a handout. They live to sue for anything.
There has been a parts-cleaning plume on the Southside of the property (Halogenated Solvent Cleaners). This is the only legit groundwater release.