Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear says his meeting with the new U-S Department of Energy Secretary was a “productive exchange.”Beshear met with Secretary Ernest Moniz today regarding the uncertain future of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and its 1,100 workers.The United States Enrichment Corporation is in the shutdown process at the DOE owned plant after failing negotiate a new federal contract. Beshear says Moniz committed to moving as quickly as possible to evaluate any and all proposals to operate the plant. He also pledged to pay particular attention to any request for use of assets at the Paducah site.Beshear strongly urged Moniz to move the plant into the decommissioning and decontamination process as soon as possible, so that the property can be utilized for economic development in the future.The DOE's Request for Offers issued last week mentions January 2014 as a deadline for a decision.
