In August 1952, the Atomic Energy Commission, a predecessor agency to DOE, selected a tract of land in the Ohio Valley along the Scioto River in Pike County, Ohio, for the site of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (GDP), the third of three GDPs in the United States. In 1956, the plant began enriching uranium for nuclear weapons. In the 1960s, Portsmouth’s mission changed to focus on producing fuel for commercial nuclear power plants and other national security applications. An extensive environmental cleanup program began at the 3,777-acre site in 1989, with deactivation and decommissioning activities initiated in 2011. Watch the video below to learn more about Portsmouth.
Portsmouth News
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With the successful cleanup underway at the Oak Ridge Reservation serving as a “North Star,” the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management is entering into a “unique moment”.March 18, 2025
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X-330, the last of three former uranium enrichment process buildings set for demolition at the Portsmouth Site, received a new roof to prepare the building for deactivation, a necessary step before its teardown.March 18, 2025
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The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Portsmouth Site recently hosted the South Central Ohio High School Regional Science Bowl, where Valley High School reigned as the champion for the second year in a row and third time altogether.March 18, 2025
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Cleanup progress at the former Portsmouth and Paducah uranium enrichment plants is helping enable new opportunities for local communities to continue advancing U.S. energy and U.S. security goals, Joel Bradburne said.March 4, 2025
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Electricians Jim Nowlin and Steve Brunner were among a crew that recently disconnected thick power cables feeding the X-333 Process Building to prepare for upcoming demolition activities at the Portsmouth Site.March 4, 2025
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Interview with Portsmouth Paducah Project Office Manager, Joel Bradburne.March 4, 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) |
| $549 | $560 | $580 | $580 | $580 | $600 |
For more information on the Office of Environmental Management's budget process and performance check out the Budget & Performance page.