SEN. McCONNELL CALLS ON DOE TO RE-ENRICH DUF6 TAILS AT PADUCAH

摘要

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called on the Department of Energy this week to move forward with the re-enrichment of a portion of its inventory of depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6) tails at the Paducah enrichment plant in his home state. In remarks to Secretary of Energy Steven Chu at a Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, McConnell noted both the potential economic benefits to the federal government, as well as the local community near the plant, that could result from re-enriching the tails. "If they were re-enriched, it would be a profitable venture. They're officially government-owned resources, highly valued, stored in a lot, which could be sold to bring in revenue for the government. And in the meantime, happily enough for western Kentuckians, keep 1,200 people from going to unemployment," McConnell told Chu, adding, "We cannot afford to lose one more job, let alone 1,200. If there is a potential for DOE to save these jobs, would you not think that would be worth pursuing?"