The EM mission is to complete the safe cleanup of environmental legacy resulting from decades of nuclear weapons development and government-sponsored nuclear energy research. EM is responsible for managing and directing the cleanup of contaminated nuclear weapons manufacturing and testing sites across the United States. Integral to that responsibility is the need to safely disposition large volumes of nuclear waste, safeguard and prepare for disposition of nuclear materials that could be used in nuclear weapons, deactivate and decommission several thousand radiologically and chemically contaminated facilities no longer needed to support the Department of Energy's mission and remediate extensive surface and groundwater contamination.
EM's first priority is to ensure the safety and health of the public and EM's workforce while continuing to protect the environment. EM carries out the mission using sound business practices, innovative management approaches, and science and technology to reduce risks and costs within the EM regulatory framework.
EM addresses the legacy of the past while contributing to a golden era of American energy dominance, strong national security and DOE efforts to lead the world in innovation.
EM transforms liabilities into opportunities to unleash American energy and innovation, fuel the global AI race, support national security and enable American jobs.
EM leverages the best of American industry to run the largest environmental cleanup program in the world - safely meeting DOE’s legal cleanup responsibilities to ensure American communities are safe and prosperous.
EM drives innovation and efficiency, focusing on priorities and reining in costs without sacrificing safety or effectiveness. In running the program more like a business, EM is working smarter, driving efficiency, implementing common sense solutions and maximizing opportunities to deliver more for American taxpayers.
EM empowers the American people by strengthening partnerships and ensuring they have a voice in cleanup and in the future of their communities.
Strategic Vision and Accomplishments
Learn more about EM's priorities through its 10-year strategic vision, annual priorities tracking and program plan.
By the Numbers
The By the Numbers infographics illustrate cleanup progress throughout the EM program.
Cleanup Sites
As the largest environmental cleanup program in the world, EM has been charged with the responsibility of cleaning up 107 sites across the country whose area is equal to the combined area of Rhode Island and Delaware.
