PIKETON, Ohio - The United States Enrichment Corporation will conduct semi-annual testing of the public warning sirens around the Portsmouth Uranium Enrichment Plant between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2001.

During the test, sirens will be activated for three three-minute intervals. Before and after the sirens are sounded, a message will be broadcast on the sirens’ public address system stating, “This is a test.”

The Portsmouth plant tests the five-siren system semi-annually in the two-mile area surrounding the facility to ensure its operability and to increase public awareness of its function. Residents who have questions about the test may contact the USEC Public Affairs office at (740) 897-2457.

In the unlikely event of an actual emergency, the sirens would sound for at least a 10-minute period. This would be followed by official instructions or information on local radios.

Tone-alert radio receivers located at three special-occupancy facilities in the area will also be tested. These include Cedar Crest Care Center, Ohio Valley Electric Company and the Vern Riffe (Pike County) Joint Vocational School.

The United States Enrichment Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of USEC Inc. (NYSE: USU), a global energy company and the world’s leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants.

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