By Angela Hatton
Metropolis, IL – The Illinois State Police say claims that an explosion occurred at the Honeywell nuclear fuel plant in Metropolis are unfounded. Spokesperson Trooper Bridget Rice says officers investigated the claim, and found it untrue. The Massac County Sheriff's department reports they received no calls on the alleged incident. The local United Steel Workers union had said they heard and felt an explosion Sunday afternoon. Union workers are currently on lock out. Honeywell officials said the sound was normal venting at one of the facilities. They say the process takes place several times a year. Temporary workers have begun producing uranium hexafluoride, or UF-6, after undergoing two months of training. USW and Honeywell are set to return to the bargaining table in October.