In 1950, the Atomic Energy Commission, a predecessor agency to DOE, selected a 3,556-acre tract of government-owned land near Paducah, Kentucky, as the location to construct a second gaseous diffusion uranium enrichment plant (GDP) to support US national security needs. The Paducah GDP enriched uranium from 1952 to 2013 and was the last government-owned uranium enrichment facility operating in the United States. The Paducah GDP produced low-enriched uranium originally as feedstock for nuclear weapons materials and later for commercial nuclear power plants. Watch the video below to learn more about Paducah.
Paducah News
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Crews have safely demolished six unused facilities at the Paducah Site ahead of schedule and under budget in the current fiscal year. August 5, 2025August 5, 2025
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The Department of Energy’s Paducah Site continues its transformation from the cleanup of legacy uranium enrichment operations into a driver for regional economic growth with assistance of a study from the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. July 29, 2025July 29, 2025
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Officials are a step closer to the first land transfer at the Paducah Site for future reuse and economic development. July 22, 2025July 22, 2025
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Leaders from the Portsmouth Paducah Project Office (PPPO) met with representatives from the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (KNEDA) during their first visit to the Paducah Site. July 15, 2025July 15, 2025
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A video featuring last year’s safe and successful demolition of a 300-foot water tower at the Paducah Site was recognized as a Gold Telly Award winner for excellence in video production out of more than 13,000 entries from across the globe. July 1, 2025July 1, 2025
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The Office of Environmental Management Paducah Site recently welcomed local educators for the immersive Educator Externship as part of a regional initiative to strengthen the future workforce through community and classroom connections. June 24, 2025.June 24, 2025
Joel B. Bradburne was named Manager of the Department of Energy's Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office (PPPO) on December 13, 2021. In this role, he oversees the deactivation and demolition of the former gaseous diffusion facilities at the Portsmouth, Ohio and Paducah, Kentucky sites, and the Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride (DUF6) Conversion Project at both locations.
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) |
| $319 | $282 | $330 | $304 | $334 | $330 |
For more information on the Office of Environmental Management's budget process and performance check out the Budget & Performance page.