As part of its ongoing investigation into the transition of nuclear conversion services at Piketon, Ohio, and Paducah, Kentucky, the Ohio Atomic Press examines the more than $2 billion contract awarded to AtkinsRéalis Group Inc. This deal places a scandal-ridden company, formerly known as SNC-Lavalin, at the center of critical nuclear infrastructure projects in the United States.
The Company Behind the Contract
AtkinsRéalis’s rebranding in 2023 was intended to mark a fresh chapter for a company dogged by years of legal and ethical controversies. Despite this, the company remains tied to unresolved litigation, historical scandals, and ongoing investigations that raise concerns about its suitability for handling sensitive nuclear materials.
Legacy of Scandals
• Bribery and Corruption: Between 2001 and 2011, SNC-Lavalin admitted to paying nearly $48 million in bribes to Libyan officials, culminating in a 2019 guilty plea and a fine.
• Political Interference: The company was at the heart of the 2019 SNC-Lavalin Affair, where Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced allegations of improperly intervening in criminal proceedings against the company.
• Illegal Donations: From 2004 to 2011, senior executives orchestrated illegal reimbursements for political contributions, resulting in criminal charges.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The company’s 2024 financial filings reveal numerous unresolved cases:
• Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac Flooding: A 2019 class action regarding flood damage caused by a breached dike. AtkinsRéalis is indirectly implicated due to its acquisition of a subcontractor allegedly involved in the dike’s construction.
• International Investigations: Probes in Algeria, Brazil, and Angola continue to scrutinize the company’s operations and compliance with anti-corruption laws.
Nuclear Conversion Concerns
The Piketon and Paducah facilities, once vital to Cold War-era uranium enrichment, now require extensive cleanup and conversion of nuclear materials. This includes the management of depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6), a highly hazardous substance.
Critics question whether AtkinsRéalis’s troubled history and ongoing liabilities make it an appropriate choice for such a critical role. The company’s involvement has drawn scrutiny from watchdog groups and industry experts who worry that its track record could pose risks to safety, compliance, and environmental stewardship.
Adding to the concern is AtkinsRéalis’s role in the Pyrrhotite Case, where defective construction materials led to significant liabilities, raising questions about the company’s ability to maintain quality standards.
This investigation has revealed:
1. Minimal Public Disclosure: The U.S. Department of Energy has yet to provide detailed justification for awarding the contract to AtkinsRéalis despite its controversial history.
2. Oversight Questions: With ongoing litigation and international investigations, the company’s ability to manage compliance and regulatory requirements is under scrutiny.
The Path Forward
As the new contractor, AtkinsRéalis is tasked with ensuring the safe handling and conversion of nuclear materials—an enormous responsibility given the stakes involved. While the company has made strides in resolving past issues, its ongoing controversies cannot be ignored.
The Ohio Atomic Press will continue its investigation into this critical transition and the broader implications for nuclear safety, environmental protection, and public accountability at Piketon and Paducah.
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