Otter Says Planning Jobs To Remain At Idaho Site

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter says news that France's state-controlled nuclear giant Areva has decided to suspend plans to build a uranium enrichment plant in eastern Idaho may not be as bad as it sounds.

Areva announced Tuesday a series of job cuts and other steps to make the company profitable after a disastrous 2011.

Otter Spokesman Jon Hanian says the governor met with Areva officials this week and was briefed on the company's strategy.

But Hanian says the company intends to maintain funding for the 40 employees in Idaho working on the engineering and design plans for the Eagle Rock Enrichment Facility.

Areva won a license in October to build and operate a $3 billion gas centrifuge uranium enrichment plant outside of Idaho Falls.