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"I do not support the United States Enrichment Corporation's (USEC) announcement that they will lay off workers at the gaseous diffusion plants in Paducah, Ky. and Piketon, Ohio. While the Energy Department cannot reverse USEC's decision, I will not just stand by.

Last week, I announced that our upcoming budget proposes a substantial new funding commitment for cleanup, waste management, worker transition activities and conversion projects -- doubling over a two year period the investment at the Paducah plant and increasing funds at the Portsmouth site by 83 percent. These funds can help mitigate some of the job loss in these communities resulting from USEC's announcement.

Tomorrow, we will release for public comment the Energy Department's Work Force Restructuring Plan -- which includes details of planned restructuring and community transition activities at the two sites. It will propose, to the maximum extent possible, to move some of the potentially displaced workers to new cleanup and other Energy Department-funded projects in Paducah and Piketon. Additionally, we have programs available to help workers transition to new careers and help the communities develop new economic activities."

Background: The Clinton/Gore Administration's Fiscal Year 2001 budget request proposes federal funding totalling $109.2 million for the Paducah and $113.5 million for Portsmouth. Additionally, the Energy Department is sending a request to Congress for $26 million for additional cleanup and health activities this year from which each plant would get over $11 million.

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R-00-025