14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, OwensboroMcConnell, Paul press for answers on Paducah plant

Kentucky Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are asking U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu to meet with them to discuss the future of Paducah's uranium enrichment plant, which they fear could shut down this year.

The senators, along with Kentucky Rep. Ed Whitfield, sent a letter to Chu Thursday asking for a meeting by the end of February. They say they're concerned the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant could close in May if its future is left undecided.

The letter says the Energy Department should allow the plant to re-enrich and sell leftover uranium, which would preserve about 1,200 jobs in Paducah.

The lawmakers say the "continued lack of action" by the department is "inexcusable." The Paducah plant opened in 1952 and is now operated by United States Enrichment Corp.

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