HomeMy WebLinkAboutJoint Resolution Closure of the DOE Paducah Gaseous Diffusion PlantJoint Resolution
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A RESOLUTION OF THE MCCRACKEN COUNTY FISCAL COURT AND THE BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF PADUCAH
CLOSURE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT - A
CALL TO ACTION
WHEREAS: The United States Government's Department of Energy owns and has operated for 62
years the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant located in Northwest McCracken County, near Paducah,
Kentucky.
WHEREAS: Our community has unequivocally supported the operation of this key component of
our nation's energy and national security apparatus during that period, at significant social and human
sacrifice.
WHEREAS: On May 24, 2013, suddenly and without explanation the Department of Energy made a
decision resulting in the impending closure of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which action by itself
has dire economic and social consequences for our community with the loss of at least 1,100 jobs.
WHEREAS: The Department of Energy has before it proposals by private companies that would
utilize assets at the plant site to create economic opportunity immediately and over the long term,
specifically the Global Laser Enrichment proposal.
WHEREAS: The community understands the Department of Energy plan (to the extent one exists)
for the site is to transition from operation to a containment state, delaying Decontamination and
Decommissioning of the site until at least 2034 — locking the gate and watching it rust —thus letting our
children and grandchildren deal with the nuclear waste dump this action will create.
WHEREAS: The Department of Energy at our sister communities with decommissioned gaseous
diffusion plants — Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Portsmouth, Ohio — has treated the local community and
workforce far differently from the Department's plan for Paducah.
WHEREAS: Our Kentucky Congressional Delegation and the Governor have urged the Department
of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz to implement a long term economic development and immediate cleanup
plan for Paducah that preserves jobs, addresses environmental issues, and treats our community equitably
to our sister sites.
WHEREAS: The Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz has publically testified before Congress on June 7,
2013, that he supports the objectives proposed by the Congressional Delegation, the Governor, and our
community.
WHEREAS: Despite repeated promises from the Department of Energy, the community sees no
action to implement these recommendations but instead sees significant effort by the Department of
Energy to delay meaningful cleanup activities and further delay decision on the proposals before it; and
WHEREAS, The Community will not accept continued inaction from the Department of Energy o,r
the Department's proposed abandonment of its obligations at the site.
NOW, THEREFORE: The City Commission of Paducah and the McCracken County Fiscal Court,
together with the United Steel Workers Local 550, the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, and Paducah
Economic Development demand the Department of Energy to immediately do the following:
• Act on proposals submitted in the Department's Expression of Interest process, specifically the
Global Laser Enrichment proposal for Paducah.
• Implement cleanup strategies for Paducah allowing for USEC employees to transfer to
Department of Energy contractors as they are laid off and fully fund cleanup activities at Paducah
on a continuing and equitable basis.
• Allow the community to become a full and open partner in determining the fate of the Paducah
Gaseous Diffusion Plant with the Department of Energy.
Adopted by the McCracken County Fiscal Court on July 2 2013.
Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the City of ' t ah on July 23, 2013.
,` Ay
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McCracken County Judge .' tive
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