DOE Leaders Embrace Paducah’s Role in New Wave of Energy Abundance

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) officials and Paducah, Kentucky, community members take part in a meeting of the annual Paducah Chamber of Commerce Fly-In earlier this month. At top left, Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly addresses the audience. At top right, from left, Paducah Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sandra Wilson speaks with DOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) acting Assistant Secretary Joel Bradburne and EM leadership team members Greg Sosson, Kristen Ellis and Steve Trischman.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly recently joined more than 80 community leaders from Paducah, Kentucky, at a meeting where he highlighted U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) efforts to ensure reliable, affordable energy abundance and noted that the Department relies on the American people to help with these objectives, with Paducah being a prime example.

“The enthusiasm that Paducah has for the jobs that can be created, the economic well-being and enthusiasm to embrace the new wave of the Department’s energy abundance is much appreciated and more importantly much relied upon,” Danly said. “My message is thank you, and I hope we can continue to chart this course of cooperation going forward.”

Attendees of the annual Paducah Chamber of Commerce Fly-In also discussed federal priorities at the DOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) Paducah Site and continued collaboration with acting EM Assistant Secretary Joel Bradburne and other members of the EM leadership team, including Greg Sosson, Kristen Ellis and Steve Trischman. Participants emphasized that Paducah is well-positioned to unleash a nuclear renaissance made possible by the vision of the chamber, local leaders and business executives.

The Paducah Site's recent agreements and partnerships to provide land and a portion of a legacy coproduct from the former uranium enrichment process to commercial partners is turning liabilities into assets, accelerating production of domestic energy supplies.

“We love being part of the legacy, but that is our history. That's who we are,” said Sandra Wilson, president and CEO of the chamber. “But we're so excited to be a part of the future of the Department of Energy with all of the projects that are going on.”

At the close of the meeting, Bradburne added, “Paducah is ready,” drawing applause from attendees.

“Thank you, folks, for being my inspiration,” he said. “Thank you, folks, for the partnership that you offered.”

-Contributors: Jordan Anderson, David Sheeley