President Obama urged to back loan guarantee for Ohio plant

COLUMBUS (AP) — The top executive behind a planned uranium enrichment plant in southern Ohio has written President Barack Obama urging his administration to reconsider a loan guarantee for the project.

Department of Energy officials who turned down Bethesda, Md.-based USEC Inc. said this week they have asked the company to withdraw its loan application for 12 to 18 months to resolve some technology issues.

In his letter Wednesday, CEO John Welch said the government is asking USEC to take a “significant step backwards.” The company has suspended work in Piketon, about 65 miles south of Columbus.

Asked about the letter by The Columbus Dispatch, a White House spokeswoman expressed support for the Energy Department’s position, saying the project isn’t ready to go forward.