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NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION III 801 Warrenville Road, Lisle IL 60532

NRC to Hold Public Meetings to Discuss its Plans to Monitor Uranium Enrichment Plants as Layoffs Occur

** May 30 in Paducah, Kentucky, and May 31 in , Piketon, Ohio **/P>

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold public meetings in Paducah, Kentucky, and Piketon, Ohio, on May 30 and 31 to discuss its plans to monitor activities at the uranium enrichment plants there as U. S. Enrichment Corporation reduces the size of its production staffs at the two plants in July.

The NRC has two full-time resident inspectors at each uranium enrichment plant with additional inspections performed by staff members from its regional office in Lisle, Illinois, and its Rockville, Maryland, headquarters.

U. S. Enrichment Corporation announced in February that it would cut its workforce by 850 out of a total of 3,550 employees at the two plants. The projected number was subsequently reduced to 625. The company operates the two plants, which are owned by the U. S. Department of Energy. The Department of Energy retains jurisdiction over portions of each plant site.

The NRC staff will hold the public meetings to review the agency's inspection plans to assure that U. S. Enrichment Corporation continues to meet NRC regulatory requirements following the workforce reductions. The staff members will also discuss the NRC's role in regulating the enrichment facilities. Following the NRC presentation, there will be a public question and answer period.

The Paducah meeting will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 30, at Crounse Hall 101 (Engineering Building), Paducah Community College, 4810 Alben Barkley Drive.

The Piketon meeting will be at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 31, at the Piketon Research and Extension Center, Ohio State University, 1864 Shyville Road.

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