PIKETON, Ohio — For the second time in recent years, the village of Piketon is once again attempting to expand its boundaries to include the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (A-Plant) site.
The new annexation proposal seeks to bring the entire A-Plant property into Piketon’s limits, allowing the village to impose income tax on workers at the site. The 2023 plan extended the village limits down Shyville Road, bypassing residential areas, and crossing State Route 32, eventually taking in the OSU Endeavor Centers and WAI Construction, the site’s sole private property owner. The original proposal covered all A-Plant property under Piketon’s jurisdiction.
This renewed push comes as redevelopment plans for the A-Plant site continue to gain momentum. Centrus is planning to expand into commercial uranium enrichment, with over 10,000 centrifuges. OKLO is seeking approval for two experimental nuclear reactors, while Trillium aims to build a hydrogen production facility. A data center and a nickel reprocessing facility are also in the works.
Many residents have voiced strong opposition to any proposed annexation, viewing it as a financial move by village officials more concerned with revenue than the site’s problematic history. Critics argue that, while officials tout the potential benefits of redevelopment, they have failed to address the lingering contamination at the site.
The Guardian reached out to Piketon’s mayor, Billy Spencer, for comment, but as of now, there has been no response. The next village council meeting is scheduled for February 3, 2025.