The tours highlight the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant’s (PGDP) unique history and pays honor to former workers who met the nation’s defense and energy needs for many years.
“The public tours are a way for us to share the story of the Paducah Site’s contributions to our national security and to update the public on the cleanup progress,” said Paducah Site Lead Jennifer Woodard of DOE’s Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office.
The PGDP produced enriched uranium for six decades, initially for nuclear weapons and later for commercial nuclear power, before private industry ceased enrichment operations in 2013. In 2014, the plant facilities were returned to DOE, which commenced plant deactivation while continuing the environmental remediation program at the site.
After an orientation at the West Kentucky Community and Technical College Emerging Technology Center, located at 4810 Alben Barkley Drive, tour participants will take a bus to the DOE Site. Here they will have the opportunity to observe many historically significant landmarks and buildings, including the plant’s central control facility that served as the hub of PGDP enrichment operations for many years. The tour also includes historical videos, photographs, and information about current deactivation and remediation activities.
Each tour lasts approximately three hours. Tours accommodate a maximum of 40 people and will be offered at 8 a.m. and noon each tour date. Tours are free, and participants must be U.S. Citizens at least 18 years of age. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis by registering at the following link: https://www.fourriversnuclearpartnership.com/tours.
