Department of Energy - Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management

08/26/2026

Best episode ever? We think so, but watch it and tell us what you think. Stories include:
➡️ Governor Lee joins East Tennessee Economic Council - ETEC's 2026 Nuclear Opportunities Workshop
➡️ TRISO-X’s nuclear fuel campus progressing in Oak Ridge
➡️ Radiant achieves construction milestone on microreactor factory
➡️ New lab speeds deliveries for cancer research
➡️ Demolition project starts at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

In this episode, we spotlight the 2026 Nuclear Opportunities Worksh...

08/24/2026

Crews are making significant headway preparing the Oak Ridge Research Reactor for demolition at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This project will reshape the central campus area and provide crucial space for future research. Teams have already removed the reactor vessel, and they are working to clear out the lower floors – which has involved removing contaminated piping, waste containers, gloveboxes, and 300,000 pounds of lead shielding.

https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/major-deactivation-progress-moves-oak-ridge-reactor-closer-teardown

08/21/2026

Thanks to WBIR Channel 10 for coming out yesterday to learn how our crews are clearing away the old and making way for the new at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Demolition projects like this are opening space for important future research at the site.

Buildings that were cutting edge during the Manhattan Project are g...

08/20/2026

Safety starts long before the cleanup begins. At OREM, our crews are required to properly suit up in personal protective equipment (PPE) before entering contaminated facilities. Each piece plays an important role in keeping our team safe while on the job. Join EnergyCast host Allison Smith in gearing up for the first time & see how it’s done!

08/13/2026

An innovative approach on Isotek's uranium-233 processing campaign is projected to save taxpayers $175 million and avoid two years of delays on the highest priority cleanup project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Employees will utilize a new glovebox to segment larger waste canisters into smaller sections, allowing employees to continue processing operations in the existing facility. It also eliminates the need for costly retrofitting and increased security to accommodate the larger canisters. Watch to learn more and see the new glove boxes in action.

08/12/2026

Assistant Secretary Tim Walsh made his message clear to the 1,200 participants at the East Tennessee Economic Council - ETEC's Nuclear Opportunities Workshop— environmental restoration and revitalization is creating opportunities for private industry and paving the way for big things.

Read more about the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management’s American Energy Hub initiative, and how Oak Ridge is serving as an early model of what’s possible through strong federal and state leadership.

https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/nuclear-resurgence-display-during-walshs-volunteer-state-visit

08/06/2026

Since 2022, UCOR has awarded over $1 billion in subcontracts, with more than 80% going to small businesses. Recently, six of these small businesses were recognized for their outstanding contributions to Oak Ridge’s cleanup mission. Tune in to learn more about the important roles they play supporting some of the biggest projects across the site.

08/03/2026

Crews have officially completed a two-year groundwater elevation monitoring project at the Environmental Management Disposal Facility (EMDF) site. This field demonstration study evaluated how groundwater levels adjusted under a cover system that was installed to simulate the effects of the final landfill liner. Based on the results, employees are altering portions of the design. Watch to learn more about the process, findings, and the project's next steps.

07/30/2026

The newest episode of Energycast is now available with the top updates and stories happening across the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge site. This edition includes:
➡️ Isotek saves $175 million on priority project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
➡️ Crews finish 2-year field monitoring study for EM Disposal Facility design
➡️ UCOR recognizes this year's top performing small businesses

https://youtu.be/O5fn0G1TRJk

07/23/2026

BIG SAVINGS: An innovative workaround by contractor Isotek is helping us advance our highest priority cleanup project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and save taxpayers $175 million. Read more about how a new approach avoids two years of delays and maintains progress eliminating the inventory of uranium-233 in storage.

https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/creative-fix-moves-priority-project-ornl-forward-saving-175-million