The agreement of a plan by the Department of Energy is the culmination of years of hard work by the Kentucky delegation, the DOE and the Paducah community.
The details of the multi-agency agreement include the transfer of ownership of depleted uranium tails to Energy Northwest, which now has a 1-year contract for USEC to re-enrich them, and then TVA will purchase the uranium from Energy Northwest, so they can produce tritium for the National Nuclear Security Administration, as part of the country's nuclear deterrent.
This proposal will reduce the amount of waste that the plant must dispose of, saving the federal government nearly $150 million in avoided maintenance costs. It will also extend nearly 1,200 jobs in Paducah, and create a source of uranium that can be used for our national security needs. Keeping this plant open also helps ensure that our nation continues to have a domestic enrichment supplier to meet national security needs.
“I'm pleased there is an agreement that will allow 1,200 hard working employees to continue to work for another year at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant." Senator McConnell said. “I am encouraged that all parties involved were able to come together and agree on a deal that will provide some certainty to the workers and the community. They have been waiting far too long. This plan will give the workers and the city additional time to prepare for the future as DOE works to transition the facility. I want to thank my colleagues, Senator Paul and Congressman Whitfield, the Administration, and all parties who worked with us to help provide this agreement for the people of Paducah."
"Through the hard work and combined efforts of Sen. McConnell, Rep. Whitfield, and myself, I am proud we were able to preserve the 1,200 jobs in Paducah for one final year,” Senator Paul said.
“I am pleased the various parties have come together to execute an extension of work at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant for one year and preserve 1,200 jobs,” Congressman Whitfield said. “In 2007, I first introduced legislation to use these tails to extend the life of the Paducah plant. Since then, I have worked tirelessly to see this day become a reality. But there is more to be done. We must continue to work together to ensure a viable transition plan is developed as this plant faces eventual closing.”
“After much hard work, the Energy Department, in cooperation with the other organizations, has identified a creative path forward to utilize a portion of our depleted uranium inventory in a way that brings together the public and private sector to advance America’s national security interests at a reduced cost to taxpayers,” said Secretary Chu. “This effort will also provide benefits to electric ratepayers in two areas of the country and maintain operations at the Paducah enrichment plant, thereby avoiding costs to the Department’s cleanup program and keeping jobs in the local community.”
This one year transition also will allow time for public officials and the community to formulate plans for productive use of the DOE site once uranium enrichment activity ceases. While today’s announcement is important, the legislators involved agreed that it is critical that planning be accelerated so that the workforce and the community prepare for the eventual closing of operations.
