The Courier Journal reported Monday February 25, 2012 that the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion plant, scheduled to close in May 2013, may remain open. GE-Hitachi has submitted a proposal to the Department of Energy to construct a laser-based uranium enrichment plant at the site. It appears that GE-Hitachi may partner with Silex Systems Limited. Silex was given a license in September for a laser enrichment plant in Wilmington, NC. If the proposal is accepted, it would mean that the large site that may otherwise be abandoned, could be used for another purpose and would create many jobs in the region.
