Whitfield Fights to Prolong the Life of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant | News | Congressman Ed Whitfield

News | Congressman Ed Whitfield | United States Representative

Whitfield Fights to Prolong the Life of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant November 15, 2007 U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield introduced legislation to prolong the life of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant for several years beyond the planned 2012 closure date. Whitfield's legislation directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to contract with USEC, the operator of the Paducah plant, to re-enrich uranium tails contained in cylinders located at the Paducah and Portsmouth, Ohio plant sites.

"The plant has been the economic engine of the community for many decades and therefore it is extremely important that the plant remains open as long as possible," said Whitfield. "My legislation aims to ensure the plant will remain open for several years past the planned closing date, and, more importantly, will keep the plant workers working."

The proposed legislation would require negotiation of a contract between DOE and USEC, to be completed within 90 days. Within another 30 days, re-enrichment would begin. The re-enrichment would occur in two phases. The first phase would involve 25% of the selected cylinders, beginning after the contract is negotiated with USEC, and would occur concurrently with USEC's normal commercial operations. The second phase, beginning in June, 2012, would involve the remaining 75% of the cylinders. This work would occur after the plant has ceased its commercial operations.

Proceeds from the sales of the re-enriched uranium tails would go into the federal Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund, which provides money for ongoing environmental cleanup at the government's enrichment sites, including Paducah and Portsmouth. The Fund was created in the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and was to collect money for 15 years from the Government and utilities who had used the Government's enrichment services prior to the creation of USEC. The Fund's authorization expired in October, 2007. The D&D; Fund would be reauthorized for three years, with revenues to come from the Government's contributions and proceeds from sales of the re-enriched tails.

"This is an industry that has been in this area since 1952 and has added to the prosperity of the entire region," said Paducah Mayor Bill Paxton. "If we are successful in keeping USEC open for an additional 3-5 years processing Tails then the community will have more time to diversify the industrial base and replace these very important jobs. I want to thank Congressman Whitfield for his leadership in this important project."

The Department of Energy's uranium enrichment facilities at Paducah, Portsmouth and Oak Ridge, were built in the mid-20th century to supply materials for nuclear warheads. Following the end of the Cold War, the Oak Ridge plant closed, and the Portsmouth and Paducah sites were converted to production of materials for fuel in commercial nuclear power plants. The U.S. Enrichment Corporation (USEC), a government owned corporation, was created to run these plants, and was privatized for that purpose in 1998.

"The Paducah Plant is integral to the local economy in McCracken County," said County Judge Executive Van Newberry. "The plant has been responsible for more parents being able to send their children to college than any other business throughout the County."

"We are certainly appreciative of Congressman Whitfield's efforts regarding the re-enrichment of our tails cylinders," said Rob Ervin, President, United Steelworkers Union Local 550. "By introducing this legislation, he has again demonstrated his commitment to the continued operation of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant."

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