Public meetings set for June on nuclear energy in McCracken County

Two community education meetings have been scheduled for McCracken County residents to provide information and discussion on several topics related to nuclear energy.

The meetings will be held at the Paducah-McCracken County Convention and Expo Center on Thursday, June 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, and on Friday, June 12 from 8 to 10 am. 

Dr. Patrick White is returning to Paducah to lead the meetings. Dr. White is an advanced nuclear and technology expert whose work focuses on safety and regulation, nuclear waste management, and nonproliferation issues.

Dr. White’s presentation will include information on advanced nuclear energy technologies; the siting, regulation and oversight of nuclear facilities; the nuclear energy ecosystem and supply chain; the potential role and benefits of nuclear energy development for communities; and what it means to be designated as a Nuclear-Ready Community.

Members of the public are invited to attend. McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer and Paducah Mayor George Bray will provide opening remarks. Time will also be allocated for public comments.

The meetings are being held as part of the process for a community to obtain state designation as a Nuclear-Ready Community through the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority.

KNEDA was established by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2024. The authority serves as a non-regulatory state agency focused on supporting and facilitating energy development, coordinating strategy, and expanding energy education in the state.

KNEDA is administratively attached to the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research. The Nuclear-Ready Community program was developed to help communities demonstrate their preparedness to support potential nuclear energy-ready development.