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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kentucky Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-01) today released the following statement regarding Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz’s update to the delegation on the Paducah Department of Energy Site.

“Our Paducah community has long endured the hardships associated with uranium enrichment at the Paducah DOE site. When it became clear that the Gaseous Diffusion Plant would ultimately be closing, we aggressively sought out partners with Paducah’s best interests in mind. That is why we have been placing constant pressure on the Department of Energy to select a plan through DOE’s competitive ‘request for offers’ process that will enable future development in Paducah.

“To that end, we are encouraged by Secretary Moniz’s comments today that using DOE’s depleted uranium assets for development in Paducah ‘remains a very important criteria’ to the Department of Energy as they finalize their decision on the request for offers process.

“The people of Paducah deserve stability and certainty, which is why we are pleased by Secretary Moniz’s comments today confirming that a final decision is coming soon. We expect DOE to make its decision shortly.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was informed today that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) board of directors has decided to keep the Paradise Fossil Plant in Drakesboro, Kentucky, open. Senator McConnell was told that one of the three units at the facility will continue burning coal, while the other units will be converted to natural gas. On behalf of Kentucky coal miners and their families, Senator McConnell first raised the issue with TVA President Bill Johnson during an October 23, 2013 meeting in his office.

“It’s unnecessary and tragic that the Obama administration’s actions have forced utilities to discontinue coal operations at any of these units,” Senator McConnell said. “I fought hard to prevent these changes and fortunately one of the units will continue to burn coal, saving hundreds of jobs. I’ll continue to fight wherever the administration’s anti-coal agenda threatens the livelihood of Kentuckians and I’ll fight to get the lost jobs back.”

During their October meeting, Senator McConnell urged President Johnson to maintain its current operations at Paradise and expressed concerns that a potential closure would negatively impact the Muhlenberg County community. President Johnson responded that many factors have contributed to the TVA’s decision to review the future of the Paradise facility, citing one reason as the current regulatory environment, but President Johnson told Senator McConnell that he would take his concerns into account while making any decisions with regards to the Paradise plant.

Following their meeting, Senator McConnell sent a letter to President Johnson reiterating his concerns and calling on TVA to keep the facility open. Joining Senator McConnell on the letter were Senator Rand Paul, Congressman Ed Whitfield, Congressman Hal Rogers, Congressman Brett Guthrie, Congressman Andy Barr and Congressman Thomas Massie. In contacting TVA, the members reminded TVA of the importance of maintaining an all-inclusive energy portfolio that protects Kentucky coal, coal utilization and those whose livelihoods depend on it.

(Washington, DC) On October 23, 2013, Sen. McConnell and TVA President/CEO William Johnson discuss Paradise plant

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement regarding the President’s belated response to the millions who’ve lost their health plans as a result of Obamacare:

“President Obama’s announcement doesn’t even come close to fixing the problems that so many Americans are facing right now as a result of cancelled health care plans and skyrocketing premiums. But, it does represent the clearest acknowledgment yet that his oft-repeated pledge ‘if you like your plan, you can keep it’ was false all along. What makes this admission even worse is the fact that it was prompted not by the heartbreaking stories of millions of Americans, but by the private pleadings of a handful of endangered Democrats. Americans are becoming increasingly aware of the fact Obamacare is broken beyond repair. The only ‘fix’ is full repeal followed by step-by-step, patient-centered reforms that drive down costs and that Americans actually want.”

Recent Press Releases

Statement From Senators McConnell and Paul and Congressman Ed Whitfield on Paducah DOE Site

November 14, 2013

Following Meeting with McConnell, TVA Announces It Will Keep the Paradise Fossil Plant Open

McConnell informed today by TVA that one of the three units at the facility will continue burning coal

November 14, 2013

McConnell Statement on the President’s Obamacare ‘Fix’

November 14, 2013