COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s two U.S. senators and several
congressional representatives are asking the U.S. Department of Energy
to take action to forestall up to 675 potential layoffs for workers
decontaminating and decommissioning a Cold War-era uranium plant.
Layoffs
are expected to begin in October for some workers cleaning up the
former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, roughly 60 miles
south of Columbus.
In a letter Thursday, the lawmakers said
they’re working to address a projected funding shortfall through the
legislative process. They asked that the department overseeing the
cleanup support that effort through advocacy with President Barack
Obama’s administration and other lawmakers.
The letter was sent
ahead of a Thursday public meeting planned by local officials in Pike
County and surrounding areas to discuss the situation.