Welcome! This page provides updates on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management's (EM) cleanup projects at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
EM is honored to assist NR with transforming these legacy facilities into opportunities in support of NR's critical national security mission.
Commitment to Safety
Safety remains our highest priority throughout every phase of EM’s project work at Bettis. DOE Environmental Management, in partnership with its contractors, is working diligently to ensure that all activities are conducted in full accordance with applicable regulations and industry best practices. Detailed plans are underway to protect workers, the surrounding community, and the environment during all field operations. Rigorous upfront planning reflects EM's commitment to conducting cleanup work responsibly — protecting personnel, the surrounding environment, and the public at every stage.
Latest Project News
- Present – EM is pleased to share an update on the progress of the Decontamination and Decommissioning (D&D) project at the Bettis C-Area buildings. EM staff and contractors are onsite, and planning is in progress for project kick-off in late summer or early fall of 2026. Early coordination with regulators, and detailed project safety plans are in motion, laying the foundation for efficient cleanup and returning the space to NR for future mission use. As always, EM is committed to a safe workplace and protecting the environment.
- November 18, 2025 - EM executed the Action Memorandum (AM) for the C-Area Project. The AM is the decision document for the CERCLA Non-Time-Critical Removal Action.
- October 30, 2025 - EM updated the project website and Information Repository with public meeting materials.
- September 18, 2025 - EM hosted a public meeting to support information sharing and give the public the opportunity to share feedback that will help EM select an alternative to address legacy facilities in the C-Area.
- September 4, 2025 - EM published a Historical Site Assessment (HSA) to document the history and the use of the C-Area buildings.
- September 4, 2025 - EM published an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) to document removal action alternatives based on information in the HSA and issued the EE/CA for a 30-day public review comment period, September 4 - October 4, 2025.
- September 4, 2025 - EM published a Notice of Availability for the EE/CA and HSA and announced the public meeting in local media.
- August 7, 2025 - EM published a Notice of Availability for the Community Involvement Plan in local media.
Project documents are available in the Information Repository.
Contact Us
Griffin Roblyer
Griffin.Roblyer@emcbc.doe.gov
513-748-4300
C-Area
EM looked at different cleanup options for two buildings at the northern part of the Bettis Laboratory, known as the C-Area. These buildings, CX and CY, are currently managed by NR. They were used to design and develop nuclear propulsion systems for the U.S. Navy. Built between 1953 and 1956, these multi-story facilities contain decommissioned research reactors.
The different cleanup options were detailed in the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) report. This report was open for public review and comment for 30 days, starting September 4, 2025. A public meeting was held on September 18, 2025, to discuss these options.
The EE/CA's preferred alternative, Alternative 3 - Demolition, is EM’s selected action and involves the removal of Buildings CX and CY in their entirety and addresses potentially contaminated soil in the project footprint.
Demolition is the most effective and protective alternative that is permanent, eliminates risks, and allows NR to meet and adapt to changing mission needs at the Bettis Laboratory.
The Action Memorandum, or the decision document for the CERCLA Non-Time-Critical Removal Action, is now available along with all project documents and details in the Information Repository.
Information Repository
The Information Repository is a collection of C-Area documents and materials that are available to the public to help inform and support community involvement.
Documents are added as they become available.
- September 18, 2025, Public Meeting
- Fact Sheets
- Notice(s) of Availability
- December 4, 2025 - Action Memorandum (NOA)
- September 4, 2025 - EE/CA, HSA, Public Comment Period and Public Meeting (NOA)
- August 7, 2025 - Community Involvement Plan (NOA)
- Community Involvement Plan (CIP)
- Historical Site Assessment (HSA)
- Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA)
- Action Memorandum (AM)
Hard copies of the documents are available for review by inquiring at the Circulation Desk of the Carnegie Library of Homestead.
The Carnegie Library of Homestead
510 East 10th Avenue
Munhall, PA 15120
Telephone: (412) 462-3444Administrative Record
The Administrative Record File, or“AR File,” is a collection of key project documents that are actively compiled during the CERCLA process and support and project decision-making. EM used the information in the AR file to make the project decision. Now that the AM is executed, the AR file becomes the Administrative Record for the project.
The AR includes:
Materials in the AR file are also available in the Information Repository.
Public Meeting
EM held a public meeting at the West Mifflin Borough Administration Building on September 18, 2025.
EM thanks the community for participating in a 30-day public review of the EE/CA (September 4, 2025-October 4, 2025) and appreciates the feedback on EM's proposed removal action alternatives.
Copies of the meeting summary, presentation, and video can be found in the Information Repository.
The public can access hard copies of the Administrative Record and Information Repository at:
- The Carnegie Library of Homestead, 510 East 10th Avenue, Munhall, PA 15120
Public Comment
The 30-day public comment period for the EE/CA (September 4, 2025 – October 4, 2025) is closed.
During the comment period, the public could submit comments through the following:
- Email: BettisCERCLAcomments@EMCBC.doe.gov, subject line ‘C-Area Comment’.
- Verbally or in writing at the public meeting on September 18, 2025.
By mail:
c/o Griffin Roblyer
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management
Program Manager
550 Main Street, Room 7-010
Cincinnati, OH 45202-7100Timeline & Key Activities
EM and contractor Arctic Peak are actively coordinating plans for upcoming field work scheduled for fall of 2026. The infrastructure improvement project focuses on the safe removal of legacy natural gas company facilities that are no longer in use, and the preparation of the site to support future project staging and transportation operations.
The removal of these legacy facilities represents a meaningful step forward — clearing infrastructure that is no longer in use and transforming the site into a functional, well-managed space that supports responsible future operations. DOE Environmental Management remains committed to keeping the community informed as planning progresses and field work gets underway.
We will continue to provide updates as this project moves forward.
This project marks an important step in EM's ongoing cleanup mission. Upon completion, the site will be returned to the Naval Reactors (NR) program for future mission use — a meaningful outcome that reflects the shared commitment to responsible stewardship of these facilities.
EM will continue to provide updates as planning advances and work gets underway.