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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The U.S. Department of Energy has recognized its environmental cleanup program for superior performance and exemplary service in project management. August 26, 2025August 26, 2025
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The Portsmouth Paducah Project Office recently met a DOE Office of Environmental Management priority for 2025 after successfully converting more than 1,000 cylinders of depleted uranium hexafluoride into a safer, more stable oxide form. August 26, 2025August 26, 2025
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Leaders from the Portsmouth Site recently met with representatives from the Ohio Nuclear Development Authority during their first visit to the Portsmouth Site. August 19, 2025August 19, 2025
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Cleanup crews have placed the final layer of a special soil forming the ideal foundation for two new cells being constructed at the On-Site Waste Disposal Facility at the Portsmouth Site. July 22, 2025July 22, 2025
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Crews at the Portsmouth Site have kicked off another phase of excavating a legacy groundwater plume at the site. July 8, 2025July 8, 2025
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Just six months into 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management has racked up significant cleanup accomplishments across the country, with more progress on the horizon, senior EM federal and contractor executives said here last week. June 17, 2025.June 17, 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.