List

(Columbus, Ohio) — United States Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, joined by Ohio Governor Bob Taft at a press conference in Columbus today, announced that the Department of Energy will provide $125.7 million for winterizing, cold stand-by, and worker transition programs related to the ongoing transition at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Facility.

The announcement fulfills the commitment made by President Bush to Governor Taft, Senators Mike Dewine and George Voinovich, and other members of Congress, following the United States Enrichment Corporation's public notice that it would close the Portsmouth facility.

Abraham said, "I am pleased to be in Ohio with Governor Taft to announce that the President's budget makes good on his pledge to the people of Ohio. This $125.7 million is an important down payment on the plant's future."

In general, the $125.7 million will be broken down over two years; $59.2 million for Fiscal Year 2001 and $66.5 million for Fiscal Year 2002. The money will support placing the facility in cold standby mode, winterizing steps to protect the facility, and worker transition programs for displaced workers once the facility is placed into cold standby mode.

Abraham also committed to work with Governor Taft and the Ohio congressional delegation to ensure that the Portsmouth facility, and its contributions to energy and defense policy, will be considered as part of a long-term review of defense and energy needs currently underway by the Bush Administration.

In addition, Abraham announced that the state of Ohio would receive $9.2 million in weatherization program funds, a $1.1 million increase over last year's funding for Ohio. The Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income families, who live in poorly insulated homes or have insufficient heating and cooling systems, improve their household energy efficiency.

"The President's budget is a balanced commitment to improving education, protecting Social Security, preserving Medicare, providing tax relief for working families, and helping pay down the national debt that will benefit Ohio and its citizens," said Abraham.

"Only determined teamwork has allowed us to seal the deal on the Portsmouth project and the Administration looks forward to working with Ohio in moving forward on other priorities and initiatives of President Bush," Abraham concluded.

- DOE -

R-01-033