Erik Olds laid out how the two organizations contribute to the U.S. Department of Energy’s priorities during a recent regional business opportunities exchange held by the Energy Technology and Environmental Business Association. March 3, 2026
Office of Environmental Management
March 3, 2026
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Portsmouth Paducah Project Office Acting Manager Erik Olds speaks to attendees at the Energy Technology and Environmental Business Association Kentucky Business Opportunities Exchange in Lexington, Kentucky.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Erik Olds, who serves dual-hatted as the Portsmouth Paducah Project Office (PPPO) acting manager and the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management manager, laid out how the two organizations contribute to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) priorities during a recent regional business opportunities exchange held by the Energy Technology and Environmental Business Association.
“We are becoming the recognized model for nuclear remediation to nuclear renaissance,” Olds told a crowd of more than 200 people representing companies that provide environmental, technology, energy, engineering, construction and related services to government and commercial clients.
“There is so much potential to build jobs, support defense and lower energy costs,”
-Erik Olds, at Kentucky Business Opportunities Exchange
Olds shared information about Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s three-pillar vision for DOE, including modernizing America’s nuclear deterrent, igniting American innovation and unleashing American energy dominance and affordability. He added that DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) plays a vital role, with PPPO and Oak Ridge at the nexus of the vision.
“I feel the momentum every day coming to work,” said Olds. “There’s an effort to maximize the speed of nuclear energy opportunities across the country. So, what does that mean for us? Cleanup is going to go faster.”
Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership Program Manager Myrna Redfield, at the podium, provides information about the Paducah Site deactivation and remediation contractor during the Energy Technology and Environmental Business Association Kentucky Business Opportunities Exchange in Lexington, Kentucky. Representatives from Portsmouth Paducah Project Office contractors Mission Conversion Services Alliance and Southern Ohio Cleanup Company also participated on the panel.
Olds emphasized safety, common sense and accountability in cleanup during his remarks.
“It’s not just about taking down buildings,” said Olds. “We can make our communities safer. We can do something with that land and change the course of the communities around the sites.”
The next generation of nuclear technology is coming, Olds told the attendees. He also mentioned representatives from Centrus, General Matter and Global Laser Enrichment would be speaking during the conference, showing how the future of the Portsmouth and Paducah sites is already evident. Those companies have projects underway or planned at the Portsmouth and Paducah sites.
“Our sites have already been selected for nuclear and AI infrastructure. We also want to leverage executive orders to reuse nickel and other metals,” he said. “There is so much potential to build jobs, support defense and lower energy costs.”
Throughout the day, attendees received updates regarding cleanup progress at PPPO, procurement and business opportunities, economic development initiatives of the local communities in Ohio and Kentucky and information about private-sector activities at the sites. Additionally, the EM Consolidated Business Center provided acquisition, small business and Office of Naval Reactors project updates during the conference.
-Contributor: Sarah Marko
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