Tagged: PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT

Members of the Kentucky Congressional delegation are giving Department of Energy leaders until June 14th to develop a long-term plan for the future of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

One of the agencies contracted to clean up the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant is donating used computer equipment to a local technical school.

DUF6, a uranium cleanup project of Babcock and Wilcox Conversion Services, transferred 223 computers and printers to the Fulton County Area Technical Center in Hickman late last month.

Principal Tom Pyron said the center, which provides technology and trade education for area high school students, was under budget pressure that the donation relieves.

The company contracted for clean-up at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant has notified employees of impending layoffs of up to 145 workers.

LATA Environmental Services of Kentucky currently employs 320 people at the Paducah site. The cuts come from the federal sequester and a lack of funding from the Department of Energy, which contracted LATA for the clean-up.

The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant has been enriching uranium since 1952, making it the world’s oldest such facility.  Now, in 2013, it faces an uncertain future.  New technology and a depressed market for their product have led the U.S. Department of Energy to consider closing the facility when USEC’s lease on the site expires next month.  This threatens some 1,200 jobs in McCracken County.  But, there are glimmers of hope.