Christopher Monetta Appointed New President & CEO of Global Laser Enrichment


WILMINGTON, N.C. - December 1, 2010 - GE Hitachi Global Laser Enrichment (GLE), a business venture of GE, Hitachi and Cameco, has appointed Christopher J. Monetta as its new president & CEO, as the company continues developing its next-generation, laser-based uranium enrichment technology.

Monetta previously served as senior vice president of advanced programs, nuclear fuel cycle, for GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH). He replaces former president and CEO Tammy Orr, who has been appointed as GEH executive director, strategic marketing and competitive analysis as the company continues expanding its new reactor projects, plant and fuel services business presence in key international markets. Orr has made this decision in order to spend more time with her family.

GLE is developing the new "Generation III" process to create a secure and reliable supply of enrichment services in the coming decades for U.S. and international nuclear power plants. The technology involves the use of lasers to separate uranium isotopes, allowing the enriched uranium to be used to fuel nuclear power plants.

"Chris has the valuable combination of nuclear fuel cycle expertise and understanding of international non-proliferation requirements to build on the important foundation established under Tammy Orr's leadership," said Kevin Walsh, senior vice president, nuclear fuel cycle for GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy.

Walsh noted GLE's commitment to the technology remains strong as the company continues to make progress on its goal to commercialize the process.

During his tenure with GEH, Monetta has led the development of other fuel cycle technologies, including production of isotopes in existing power reactors and a more proliferation-resistant method to produce medical isotopes for U.S hospitals and researchers. He also has overseen GEH's operation of the company's independent spent fuel storage facility in Morris, Ill., and the Vallecitos Nuclear Center in California.

Prior to launching the advanced programs group within GEH, Monetta served as the company's leader for environment, health and safety (EHS), with responsibilities including nuclear safety, radiological safety, material control and accounting, facility licensing and security functions at nuclear facilities in the United States, Canada and Japan.

Monetta previously worked for Lockheed Martin before joining GE at Knolls Atomic Power
Laboratory/Kesselring Site in New York, where he was plant manager for the D1G and S8G nuclear reactors. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Villanova University.

He also has prior experience in nuclear fuel manufacturing at the Savannah River Site Naval Fuel Manufacturing Facility in South Carolina, where he was a senior production engineer and shift manager engaged in the manufacture of highly enriched fuel for the U.S. Naval Reactors Program. Additional nuclear experience includes service in the U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program as a nuclear officer on USS Long Beach (CGN-9) and as a staff instructor at the DIG Nuclear Prototype. While in the Navy, Chris qualified as chief engineer of a multi-reactor ship and as surface warfare officer.

About Global Laser Enrichment
GLE, a business venture of GE, Hitachi and Cameco, is developing a next-generation, laser-based technology for commercial application in enriching uranium for fuel used by nuclear power stations. A GLE commercial enrichment facility would create a reliable, long-term supply of enrichment services for nuclear power plants to meet the challenges of energy security, climate change and increased demands for power.

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