Tagged: 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.

An Idaho-based company, along with Advanced Process Technology Systems of Paducah, has expressed interest in taking over operations of the U.S. Department of Energy's Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant if current lessee, the United States Enrichment Corporation, is unable to extend operations past next month.

Workers at Paducah's Gaseous Diffusion Plant will remain employed for at least the next 60 days as United States Enrichment Corporation officials continue discussions regarding future operations. USEC Spokesperson Paul Jacobson says the company has not yet decided on what kind of workforce it will leave behind. The plant currently employs around 1100 people.