Scioto County Commissioners voted to support a proposed bill that would include Pike and Scioto County residents affected by radiation exposure from the A-Plant among those eligible for compensation from a federal fund.
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act compensates workers and residents who have become ill or died as a result of radiation exposure. The 34-year-old fund was initially aimed at workers and residents exposed due to nuclear tests. A bipartisan bill supported by Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance would add Scioto and Pike Counties to the affected areas. Eligible affected residents would be eligible for a one-time $50,000 payout.
Activist Vina Colley had pressured commissioners to write a letter publicly supporting this bill but Commissioner Bryan Davis had said commissioners wanted a chance make sure that terminology used in the letter was correct and that everything was legally correct.
At Thursday’s meeting, Commissioners Scottie Powell and Cathy Coleman voted in favor of submitting the letter of support. Commissioner Davis did not attend Thursday’s meeting.
“This is something that exists in other areas,” Commissioner Powell said. “I believe Paducah has this benefit where their plant was.” The commissioner said that if the legislation is passed, it will be up to individuals to apply for the benefit. “Our chairman will write this letter and forward it on to our senators’ offices.”
“I’d just like to thank Vina Colley for pursuing this,” Commissioner Coleman said.