DOE is committed to fostering meaningful public involvement in environmental remediation decision-making at its cleanup sites. The Paducah Community Relations Plan describes how DOE provides opportunities for the public to become involved in cleanup decisions at the Paducah Site. Interactive communications enable the public and other stakeholders to learn about the environmental program so they can effectively provide input.
CAB
The Paducah Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) operates as part of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Environmental Management (EM) Site Specific Advisory Board (SSAB). Under the EM SSAB charter, the CAB is a stakeholder board that provides the Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management, and designees, with advice, information, and recommendations on issues affecting the EM program at the Paducah Site. These issues include cleanup standards and environmental restoration, waste management and disposition, stabilization and disposition of non-stockpile nuclear materials, excess facilities, future land use and long-term stewardship, risk assessment and management, and cleanup science and technology activities.
The Paducah CAB provides informed, independent advice and recommendations to DOE regarding environmental restoration, waste management, future land use, risk assessment, clean-up technologies, and related Paducah Site activities. The CAB consists of members with diverse interests and concerns related to the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant Environmental Management activities. Members of the CAB participate in educational and informative programs in order to be able to provide meaningful recommendations. Meetings held by the CAB provide opportunities for members of the community to provide public comments on the issues under consideration by the CAB.
Educational Outreach
DOE supports efforts that encourage students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in these fields. Paducah encourages site contractor involvement with area students. Activities focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as well as social skills, teamwork, and motivation. Mentors use models, sampling tools, videos and illustrations to help students connect classroom science with real world careers along with the educational requirements needed for those careers.
Murray State Grant
Murray State University (MSU) will engage in activities to support the efficient and effective work consistent with the environmental cleanup and beneficial reuse of the Paducah Site. Murray State University located in Murray, Kentucky, has a strong history with partnerships within the region of western Kentucky. The goal of the grant is to develop information DOE, PPPO, contractors and the public can use in decision-making for the environmental cleanup, beneficial reuse and public outreach at the Paducah Site. Researchers located at MSU and cooperating institutes of higher learning, national laboratories, and government agencies develop this information.
Science Bowl
Paducah annually hosts the West Kentucky Regional High School Science Bowl for middle school and high school teams at the University of Kentucky College of Engineering – Paducah Campus. The West Kentucky Regional Science Bowl invites middle and high schools from surrounding counties in western Kentucky and southern Illinois. The regional competitions typically have close to 18 middle and high school teams compete. Over several months, more than 9,500 high school students and 4,500 middle school students compete in 70 high school and 50 middle school regional Science Bowl tournaments across the country.
The DOE National Science Bowl® is a nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics. Middle and high school student teams from diverse backgrounds face-off in a fast-paced question-and-answer format, being tested on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics, energy and math.
Educator Externship
The Paducah Site is involved in the Educator Externship Program. This program helps educators gain hands-on experience and insight from employers that will help them better inform students about the academic and employability skills needed to obtain participating jobs. All educators including teachers, counselors, career coaches and administrators spend a day over the summer learning about the high-demand jobs in Paducah and the surrounding area.
West Kentucky Launch Experience
WKY Launch Experience is a career exploration expo for eighth grade students in all schools in Paducah City and McCracken County school systems including Paducah, Lone Oak, Heath, Reidland, St. Mary and Community Christian Academy middle schools. The Paducah Site attends to expose students to potential career opportunities to assist with improving future employment.