PADUCAH, Ky. – The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking public comment on a plan to dispose of hazardous and radioactive waste presently located at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant.  A meeting to receive citizen input on the draft plan is scheduled for April 9.

The draft Waste Disposition Environmental Assessment (EA) examines how the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Environmental Management Program will dispose polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) wastes, low-level radioactive waste, mixed low-level radioactive waste, and transuranic waste at the Paducah Plant.  The waste is a result of plant activities that supported uranium enrichment production activities prior to 1993.

Under the proposal, all of the wastes would be transported for disposal to various locations around the United States. Disposition activities may include characterization, repackaging, treatment, storage, stabilization, and shipment.  DOE will use the EA to determine if these disposition activities will require an Environmental Impact Statement.

"This document will provide direction on how we will address the waste issues at the Paducah Plant, so we need public input on this proposal," said W. Don Seaborg, Manager of DOE’s Paducah Site.

DOE representatives will host a public meeting on April 9 from 6 - 8 p.m., at the DOE Environmental Information Center, 115 Memorial Drive, to allow the public an opportunity to become familiar with contents of the draft EA and offer comments.  A copy of the draft EA is available at the Environmental Information Center, phone (270) 554-6979.   The EA may also be reviewed at the McCracken County Public Library, 5^th and Kentucky, Paducah, phone (270) 442-2510.

The public comment period for the document ends April 25. Comments about the document may be forwarded to David Allen, DOE Oak Ridge Offices, Post Office Box 2001, SE-30-1, Oak Ridge, TN 37831.  Comments may also be faxed to (865) 576-0746 or submitted electronically to NEPA@oro.doe.gov.  More information about the document may be obtained from Gary Bodenstein, DOE Paducah Site Office, phone (270) 441-6831.

-DOE-

R-02-015