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 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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Erik Olds laid out how the two organizations contribute to the U.S. Department of Energy’s priorities during a recent regional business opportunities exchange held by the Energy Technology and Environmental Business Association. March 3, 2026March 3, 2026
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The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management and cleanup contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge are making significant headway preparing one of the most challenging facilities at the Y-12 National Security Complex for demolition. March 3, 2026March 3, 2026
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Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management cleanup contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge recently expanded a university partnership to provide unique learning opportunities for nuclear safety specialists supporting the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management mission. February 25, 2026February 25, 2026
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The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management and cleanup contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge are “crushing it” at the legacy Alpha-4 building as an innovative approach to squashing old drums is accelerating waste disposal, avoiding $300,000 in costs and eliminating tasks with higher safety risks. February 17, 2026February 17, 2026
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The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management and cleanup contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge continue to make steady cleanup progress at the Y-12 National Security Complex. February 10, 2026February 10, 2026
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The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management held an open-house public information session on Jan. 29 to keep the community updated on the priorities and latest cleanup happening across the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation. February 3, 2026February 3, 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
FY24 Requested (in the millions) | FY24 Enacted (in the millions) | FY25 Requested (in the millions) | FY25 Enacted (in the millions) | FY26 Requested (in the millions) |
| $635 | $694 | $658 | $695 | $636 |
For more information on the Office of Environmental Management's budget process and performance check out the Budget & Performance page.