WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the Trump Administration to examine strategies to expedite the transfer of land located within the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) back to the residents of Paducah, Kentucky. McCracken County is poised to attract leading industries to the Commonwealth and Congressman Comer has long supported efforts to expeditiously cleanup PGDP land to advance economic development in the region.
“I am writing to bring your attention to the efforts of my constituents in Paducah, Kentucky, who are eager to facilitate the transfer of remediated land located within the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant to the local community. I have long supported their efforts to expedite cleanup with the goal of ultimately returning the land to the community for economic development. In 2023, the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce was awarded a U.S. Department of Energy grant to conduct a study of the regional workforce capability and recommend strategies to capitalize on the existing regional workforce’s specialized skillset. This grant, which I helped secure in federal appropriations legislation, allows the community to thoughtfully examine their strengths and maximize the marketability of their state-designated nuclear-ready community to potential developers,” wrote Congressman James Comer.
“It has been conveyed to us that DOE and EPA officials expect the first land transfer of approximately 200 acres to be finalized later this year. I encourage you to maintain progress on this transfer and make every effort to prioritize and communicate the next steps to local officials and interested parties. Once again, I urge you to examine strategies to expedite the transfer of land back to the residents of the Paducah area for the betterment of their community. Paducah officials and residents would be honored to host you for a visit to share progress on site cleanup and share their vision for the future of their community,” concluded Congressman James Comer.
Read the letter here.
READ MORE:
Comer: Paducah is Eager to Clean Up Former DOE Nuclear Plant and Jump-start New Economic Opportunities
“I am writing to bring your attention to the efforts of my constituents in Paducah, Kentucky, who are eager to facilitate the transfer of remediated land located within the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant to the local community. I have long supported their efforts to expedite cleanup with the goal of ultimately returning the land to the community for economic development. In 2023, the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce was awarded a U.S. Department of Energy grant to conduct a study of the regional workforce capability and recommend strategies to capitalize on the existing regional workforce’s specialized skillset. This grant, which I helped secure in federal appropriations legislation, allows the community to thoughtfully examine their strengths and maximize the marketability of their state-designated nuclear-ready community to potential developers,” wrote Congressman James Comer.
“It has been conveyed to us that DOE and EPA officials expect the first land transfer of approximately 200 acres to be finalized later this year. I encourage you to maintain progress on this transfer and make every effort to prioritize and communicate the next steps to local officials and interested parties. Once again, I urge you to examine strategies to expedite the transfer of land back to the residents of the Paducah area for the betterment of their community. Paducah officials and residents would be honored to host you for a visit to share progress on site cleanup and share their vision for the future of their community,” concluded Congressman James Comer.
Read the letter here.
READ MORE:
Comer: Paducah is Eager to Clean Up Former DOE Nuclear Plant and Jump-start New Economic Opportunities