OPINION: IDAHO’S COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP PAYS DIVIDENDS

By Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter

Idaho should be proud of the decision by AREVA to locate its new uranium enrichment plant in eastern Idaho. It resulted from a textbook example of businesses, communities, education leaders and government coming together to pursue economic opportunities and a better quality of life.

From the Idaho National Laboratory to our colleges and universities, from Grow Idaho Falls to the Idaho Department of Commerce, from our congressional delegation and legislators to county commissioners and city councils, and from private businesses to the general public, landing the $2 billion project was a truly cooperative achievement.

About 1,000 workers will be hired during construction at the Bonneville County site after local, state and federal permits are obtained from regulators. Then about 250 engineers and technicians will be earning an average salary of $64,000 a year once AREVA’s state-of-the-art plant opens.

The process started in June 2007, when AREVA asked U.S. Senator Larry Craig to help identify potential sites in Idaho that might accommodate and welcome the enrichment plant. Senator Craig set the wheels in motion and state government, economic development groups, legislators, city and county officials and local citizens groups went to work. Within 12 days AREVA had an initial proposal in hand.

Local economic development professionals in Bonneville, Bannock, Bingham and Power counties quickly realized the benefits of working as a team, and on July 30, 2007, they made a presentation to AREVA with a single message: “We want you in Idaho!”

That message was carried forward to the 2008 session of the Idaho Legislature thanks to the leadership of such legislators as Senators Bart Davis, Jeff Siddoway, and Brent Hill and Representatives Dennis Lake, Scott Bedke and Janice McGeachin.

No other state in the running for this world-class facility had presented a coordinated, united regional approach to hosting AREVA. Most actually saw cities or counties competing with one another. Company officials recognized and appreciated that Idahoans were working as a team.

Also to AREVA’s enormous credit, its personnel were consummate professionals and its processes were crystal clear – working with everyone in a straightforward and open manner to explain the company’s needs, expectations and decision points. My thanks go to the entire team led by AREVA President Mike McMurphy.

AREVA’s thoroughness enabled us to effectively display such benefits as our highly trained and qualified workforce, the long-time U.S. Department of Energy presence in eastern Idaho, and our state’s willingness to invest in the future with the Center for Advanced Energy Studies.

Along with that kind of infrastructure and expertise, government regulations, market forces and most of all the watchful eyes of 1.4 million Idahoans all will ensure that the AREVA plant will be safe, clean and an enormous economic benefit to our state.

AREVA’s decision is a testament to the hard work and progressive mindset of Idaho’s people, and the growing diversity and dynamism of our economy. There is a long way to go before AREVA’s promise becomes reality, but we already have proved that nothing is beyond our capability.

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(498 words)

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