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Whitfield: Keeping an Open Mind on PGDP Future

Congressman Ed Whitfield
U.S. Congress
Congressman Ed Whitfield

Kentucky Congressman Ed Whitfield says despite his comments that the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion plant is on its "Last Leg" he’s keeping an open mind about the facility's future. Whitfield's comments about the plant were published in the Washington-based Weapons Complex Monitor

When asked this week if he would continue to push for operations beyond 2013, Whitfield told WC Monitor, “I’ll tell you what, ever since I’ve been in Congress, 1995, the USEC plant has been at risk. So finally with this one year extension I think everyone down there recognizes that this is probably the last leg for this plant.”

Whitfield's office responded to inquiries about the quote saying it may not be economically viable to further extend plant operations. His staff says the congressman is interested, though, in working with local and national leaders to find new options.

Plant officials reached a multi-party agreement in May to extend operations, and 1,200 jobs, for one year. The Department of Energy holds a workshop this week in Paducah to look at future plant options.

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