By Gary Pitts
Paducah, KY – The cleanup process of a Cold War-era radioactive metals facility in Paducah is set to enter the demolition stage. The 65,000 square foot C-340 Metals Plant operated from 1956 until the mid-1980's converting depleted uranium into usable uranium metals and nuclear fuel. Department of Energy Site leader for the project Reinhardt Knerr says the project provides multiple benefits to the region.
"We're cleaning that up and we're procluding any environmental damage and of course an additional benefit is keeping local people employed."
Knerr says at the peak of cleanup, the Department of Energy employed around 240 local workers. The DOE spent about $36 million of the Paducah Site's nearly $80 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on the Metals Plant project. Demolition is set to begin soon, and should be finished by the end of next year.