By Todd Hatton
Paducah, KY – Protesters picketed Paducah Power's Broadway headquarters yesterday over the utility's use of out-of-town contractors to build its Schneidman Road peaking plant and gas supply pipeline. However, PPS spokesperson Andrea Underwood says the power company set aside five initial bids from out-of-town companies to solicit bids from local companies suggested by Paducah union representatives. None of those businesses were considered qualified due to the unique nature of the construction project. Underwood says the company building the plant's natural gas pipeline across Marshall and McCracken counties is qualifying local welders for the project and all three contractors are using local businesses for an array of support services.