Vol 17, Issue 27

News on the world's largest environmental cleanup

Office of Environmental Management

July 17, 2026
Estimated Read Time   min
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University Partnerships Prepare Idaho for Used Nuclear Fuel Shipments

A group photo of scientists and students in a laboratory

 

The Idaho Cleanup Project is preparing to safely transport used nuclear fuel to the Idaho National Laboratory Site to support advanced research and technology. 🚛

Crews with contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition recently completed hands-on training at the University of Utah's reactor to prepare for the upcoming shipments from Penn State University. The collaborative effort is made possible by a waiver to the 1995 Idaho Settlement Agreement. Read the full story to discover how these teams are preparing to handle and transport the fuel safely.

Hanford Crews Achieve Major Safety Gains in High-Risk Cleanup

Before and after of repair work at the Hanford Site
Before and after of repair work at the Hanford Site

Hanford Site workers recently completed a challenging radiation reduction project to prepare a critical underground valve pit for future tank waste operations. ⚙️

Contractor Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure used specialized protective gear, long-reach tools, and real-time monitoring to safely navigate exceptionally high radiation levels at the SY Tank Farm. This successful effort protects workforce members while setting the stage for upcoming waste retrieval and treatment in the site's West Area. Read the full story to discover how these crews safely overcame extreme conditions.

Los Alamos Hosts Students From Program Providing Workforce Pipeline

A group of students touring the Los Alamos Site wearing yellow and orange safety vests

A national summer program is giving undergraduate students a firsthand look at environmental cleanup efforts to build the next nuclear workforce. ⚛️

New Mexico State University's NuChemE Pipeline program recently toured Los Alamos National Laboratory to bridge classroom learning with real-world remediation. The program aims to prepare science and engineering majors from across the nation for rewarding careers in environmental stewardship. Read the full story to discover how this partnership is shaping the future of the industry.

Nevada Schools Highlight Benefits of STEM Education Grant

Rotating set of images of students participating in STEM dissection activities

 

The Nevada environmental cleanup program is preparing to launch another year of classroom grants to boost local STEM education. 🧪

The EM Nevada Program and contractor Navarro Research and Engineering are opening the sixth year of the Community Commitment Grant Program. The initiative provides vital funding for schools near the Nevada National Security Site to purchase resources like robotics kits and biology lab equipment. By investing in local classrooms, officials aim to inspire and prepare the next generation of technical leaders and workers. Read the full story to learn how these grants are making a difference in Nevada classrooms.