Integrated Strategy for Public Involvement at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant

In 2003, the Kentucky Research Consortium for Energy and Environment (KRCEE) was created at the University of Kentucky through the efforts of US Senator Mitch McConnell. The Consortium's mission was to provide technical support to the US Department of Energy (US DOE), the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), and the Kentucky Division of Waste Management regarding non-consensus issues associated with clean-up efforts at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant National Priority List Superfund site. In 2009, KRCEE was asked to develop a community-based end state vision that would encompass the range of community perspectives and preferences for the site's future after US DOE closes the facility. This paper provides an overview of the methodology that has been developed and is being implemented as part of this process, as well as lessons learned in interfacing with a diverse set of stakeholders.