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.
Watch the video below to learn how environmental cleanup operations in Oak Ridge are modernizing the Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge National Laboratory and creating new opportunities for the community. It also explores Oak Ridge’s first-of-a-kind achievements and the projects underway that will transform the site in the years ahead.
Oak Ridge News
-
A new generation of workers have gotten career experience and mentorship from Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management contractor UCOR this summer. August 26, 2025August 26, 2025
-
Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management contractor UCOR is testing new remote equipment that will help workers avoid some of the most challenging, contaminated environments during upcoming deactivation and demolition projects at ORNL. August 19, 2025August 19, 2025
-
Drawing from an innovative technology, the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management and contractor UCOR have achieved a breakthrough set to eliminate a complex legacy waste stored at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the past 50 years. August 12, 2025August 12, 2025
-
Public school teachers, administrators and staff in the region recently learned more about the diverse array of careers for students in the years ahead related to the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management’s mission. August 5, 2025August 5, 2025
-
Advances on the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management’s (OREM) cleanup mission are creating unique opportunities for the nuclear industry. July 29, 2025July 29, 2025
-
Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management contractor UCOR recently recognized six small businesses at an annual awards program for their critical support to the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management cleanup mission. July 22, 2025July 22, 2025
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
FY22 Enacted (in the millions) | FY23 Request (in the millions) | FY23 Enacted (in the millions) | FY24 Enacted (in the millions) | FY24 Enacted (in the millions) | FY25 Requested (in the millions) |
| $630 | $612 | $637 | $635 | $694 | $658 |
For more information on the Office of Environmental Management's budget process and performance check out the Budget & Performance page.