KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS URGE DOE TO FINALIZE PADUCAH PLANS WITHIN A MONTH

Members of Kentucky’s Congressional delegation are urging the Department of Energy to finalize its long-term plans for the Paducah site within a month, but are calling for any depleted uranium hexafluoride tails at the site to remain in Kentucky. A letter sent to DOE yesterday from Sens. Mitch McConnell (R) and Rand Paul (R) and Rep. Ed Whitfield (R) notes that previous proposals would move the potentially valuable material out of the state, diminishing opportunities for economic development. “Any option that proposes to transfer these tails out of the Commonwealth will not be acceptable to us,” the letter states. “We believe there is sufficient interest in the material at the site to warrant new development at Paducah, while ensuring the maximum amount of benefit to the taxpayer.” The lawmakers also “urge the Department to make a final determination regarding a long term solution for the site by June 14.”