For Immediate Release, April 27, 2000
Contact: Gwenda Bond or Jack Conway (502)564-2611

Governor’s Task Force on Paducah Issues Findings Report

Frankfort, Ky. –  The Governor’s fact-finding task force charged with examining state regulatory issues at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant today released its findings report.

Governor Patton said, “I’d like to congratulate the Commonwealth’s fact-finding team for the thorough examination they’ve conducted on what remains a complex and troubling issue. We will use this report as a guide as we continue to work to ensure fastest possible total cleanup of the Paducah site.”

Some of the recommendations contained in the forty-page report include: finalizing a new strategy to complete cleanup work more quickly and efficiently; continued efforts to increase DOE cleanup funding to levels sufficient to complete cleanup by the legally mandated year 2010; increase oversight of DOE cleanup efforts to ensure protection of human health and the environment; and to step up monitoring efforts for hazardous substances in surface water and sediments, groundwater, and air quality. The report also includes a detailed description of historical monitoring efforts by state agencies of the Paducah plant within the boundaries imposed by ultimate responsibility for the site resting with the federal government and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Governor Patton appointed the task force, composed of representatives from the Governor’s Office, the Cabinet for Health Services and the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet, in August 1999, immediately after reports of worker exposure to radiation hazards at the Paducah plant began to surface. The governor charged the task force with assessing whether public health and well-being was under an immediate threat, whether the Commonwealth adequately monitored Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant operations to the extent of its jurisdiction, and to make recommendations for any corrective actions necessary at the plant.

Jack Conway, who chaired the task force, said, “Our fact-finding task force has done a thorough job of examining all areas that are within the Commonwealth's jurisdiction to oversee this facility.  Our primary concern was public health at or near the boundary of PGDP, and I hope this report helps allay any unfounded fears about public health.  I also think it is important for the public to know through this report exactly what has been detected during monitoring efforts.  Governor Patton and the Commonwealth will remain vigilant in pressing the Department of Energy, the U.S. Congress and the Administration to complete its obligation to cleanup the environmental hazards at PGDP as quickly as possible." 

The full text of the report can be requested from the Communications Office, picked up in Room 112 of the Capitol, or accessed on the Web www.state.ky.us/agencies/gov/padrpt.pdf.