[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 135 (Tuesday, October 15, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10439-S10440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and all its workers, past and 
present, on the occasion of the facility's upcoming 50th anniversary, 
which will be celebrated by the Paducah community on October 24th.
  The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant is currently the only operating 
uranium enrichment facility in the United States. Production of 
enriched uranium began in Paducah in 1952, and the plant has operated 
continuously since that time. Until 1964, the plant's output was almost 
entirely for the purposes of national defense as it produced 
fissionable material for our country's nuclear arsenal. The Paducah 
workers during that period played a vital role in securing our freedom 
and helped America prevail in the cold war. Unfortunately, the Federal 
Government didn't always do right by the workers, who were often 
exposed to hazardous conditions and materials which would later sicken 
and even kill some. Even today, we are still working to correct this 
shameful injustice.
  After 1964, Paducah production began shifting to enriched uranium for 
commercial nuclear reactors; helping to provide the benefits of cleanly 
generated electric power to millions of people. After 1973, Paducah no 
longer enriched uranium for military purposes. However, the plant 
continues to help create a more secure world as the U.S. recipient for 
nuclear materials from the former Soviet arsenal. Under the Megatons to 
Megawatts program, nuclear weapons are dismantled in Russia and the 
nuclear material is shipped to Paducah where it is repackaged and 
shipped worldwide for civilian electric power production.
  Over the last half century, a number of companies have operated the 
Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Company, 
(later Union Carbide) was the original operator of the plant. Successor 
operators included Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Lockheed Martin 
Energy Systems, and finally United States Enrichment Corporation, which 
took over direct operation of the plant in 1999, and continues as the 
operator today. Today 1,500 workers are employed at the Paducah Gaseous 
Diffusion Plant. What is remarkable is that despite the past sins of 
the Federal Government, these employees remain dedicated to their jobs 
and the important work they perform every day. It is a testament to 
those individuals in particular and this region in general.
  In addition to the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant itself, an entire 
complex of supporting plants were built to support enrichment 
activities at Paducah. Two electric generating plants were constructed 
to supply the large power demands of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion 
Plant. These were the TVA

[[Page S10440]]

Shawnee Steam Plant in western McCracken County, Kentucky, and the EEI 
plant in Joppa, Illinois. Additionally, a uranium hexaflouride plant 
was constructed in Metropolis, IL. Together, these four facilities 
comprise the economic and industrial heart of the region.
  In recent years, we have learned that there were often risks 
associated with work at Paducah, particularly during the earlier years 
of its operation. Some workers were exposed to cancer-causing chemicals 
and radiological hazards. Many of these workers have now benefited from 
the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program, which I 
am proud to have helped bring into existence. Working alongside the 
union representing the workers, I have also fought to make sure that 
medical screening is available to all workers so that they may be 
tested and treated for any problems they incur as a result of working 
at the plant. We have also embarked upon the task of cleaning up some 
of the legacy waste materials left on the site. The Department of 
Energy's recently announced DUF6 conversion plant will be a huge step 
in this direction, as it will clean up thousands of cylinders of 
depleted uranium hexaflouride which have been stored on the site for 
decades. The conversion plant additionally will add new jobs to the 
Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant complex.
  While significant challenges lie ahead for America's domestic uranium 
enrichment industry, it is appropriate to pause on this occasion to 
commemorate the Golden Anniversary of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion 
Plant, and the dedicated service of all the employees over the last 
half century. The workers at Paducah today continue the fine tradition 
of service, commitment, and productivity. I am sure they are up to any 
future challenge to be met in keeping a viable domestic uranium 
enrichment capability.

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