The Oak Ridge Site, located in eastern Tennessee, is one of the three original sites in the Manhattan Project. The K-25 and Y-12 plants were built to explore different methods to enrich uranium, while the X-10 Site was established as a pilot plant for the Graphite Reactor and to explore methods for the production of plutonium. Throughout the following decades, the three sites purified isotopes, conducted advanced research, manufactured weapons components, and enriched uranium. These activities created environmental legacies that placed the Oak Ridge Reservation on EPA’s National Priorities List in 1989.
Oak Ridge Photo Gallery
An aerial view of the Alpha-2 facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex after crews completed demolition on its south side. The building measures 325,000 square feet and covers 2.5 acres of land.
Oak Ridge News
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The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management has made significant headway deactivating the Oak Ridge Research Reactor since crews successfully removed its reactor vessel two years ago. August 18, 2026August 18, 2026
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As 1,200 government and industry leaders from 35 states and four countries discussed advances in the nuclear industry and what’s needed to maintain momentum during a conference here, Assistant Secretary of Environmental Management Tim Walsh made his message clear: The Office of Environmental Management is creating opportunities for the private industry and paving the way for big things. August 11, 2026August 11, 2026
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Sustainable purchasing of electronics helps reduce waste and conserve natural resources, lowering the impact of technology. August 11, 2026August 11, 2026
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The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management has completed a two-year data collection campaign measuring groundwater elevation levels, a crucial component to inform its Environmental Management Disposal Facility project. August 4, 2026August 4, 2026
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management recently highlighted its American Energy Hubs, an initiative that is transforming former Manhattan Project and Cold War sites into engines for innovation, affordable energy production, advanced manufacturing, and economic growth.August 4, 2026
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Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management Manager Erik Olds and Savannah River Operations Office Manager Edwin Deshong joined U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary for Science Darío Gil for a U.S. House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus event. July 28, 2026July 28, 2026
Site Manager
Erik Olds became the manager for the DOE Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) on June 1, 2025.
Olds previously served at the OREM deputy manager since January 2024, serving as the acting manager from March to June 2025. He has been with the Department of Energy for more than 30 years, including 20 years within the EM program.
As the OREM manager, he oversees the daily operations needed to perform the organization’s environmental cleanup and stewardship, decontamination and decommissioning activities, waste processing and management, surveillance and maintenance programs, and procurement and contract functions. Before his assignment as OREM deputy manager, Olds served as communications director for DOE's Office of Environmental Management headquarters (EM-HQ) and previously as acting chief of staff for EM-HQ.
Click here to view full bio.
High-Level Budget Information
FY25 Requested (in the millions) | FY25 Enacted (in the millions) | FY26 Requested (in the millions) | FY26 Enacted (in the millions) | FY27 Requested (in the millions) |
| $658 | $695 | $636 | $701 | $604 |
For more information on the Office of Environmental Management's budget process and performance check out the Budget & Performance page.