Senator Rand Paul is blocking presidential Energy Department nominees until he hears from Secretary Steven Chu on a compromise to save 1200 jobs at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. The plant is likely to end operations in the coming months if the government fails to allow the re-enrichment of spent uranium stored at the plant. On the Senate floor he said he would like to hear a response from letters he sent Secretary Chu seeking the DOE’s approval.
“The Defense Department has written statements saying that they could use this uranium," Paul said. The GAO (Government Accountability Office) has said that this would bring back -- and this is the best use of this waste product. But I believe the Secretary of Energy through a stroke of a pen could save these 1,200 jobs, and that's what I am asking for help with, " continued Paul.
One of the nominations Paul is holding up is that of Lieutenant Genearl Thomas Bostic as Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
